From glacier studies to Soler Valley treks and a heroic foal rescue, it was another memorable and uplifting season at the Patagonia Frontiers ranch. All told, our intrepid crew guided and instructed 23 backcountry treks, 17 horse treks, and 3 mountaineering expeditions across our 5,000-acre wilderness classroom. We also guided more than 40 adventure seeking clients and instructed 75 students on educational programs, deepening our partnership with Steamboat Mountain School and High Mountain Institute. Read on!

Highlights Reel

1. Guiding family adventures into the untrammeled wilderness

“To say that we are “basking” a bit in the memory of our trip is quite an understatement… our time there was much more than a vacation as it truly was an experience of a lifetime.” – Scott, [USA]

2. Saving Taragüi the foal: a heroic horse rescue

“To say we didn't have quite the same resources as my former equine hospital is vast understatement (John said we were fresh out of nasogastric tubes and plasma infusions)… For about a week, Heather and I stood him up and helped him nurse every two hours day and night. And finally, incredibly, Taragüi started getting up on his own.” – Allie Rutledge, 2023-24 workcrew member (read the full story in her blog post)

3. Teaching glacier science with High Mountain Institute 

“Over the course of their 10-day curriculum, HMI (High Mountain Institute) students learnt about the fundamentals of glacier science. We experienced first-hand key glaciological process, and witnessed the landforms they leave behind. We explored the intersection of human and physical geography through an in-depth class on glacial lake outburst flooding. A highlight was the dedicated day for practicing fieldwork techniques: tree core sampling and stream flow measurements. This helped us understand the influence of past climates on ‘proxy data’ as well as how river flow gives insights into glacier mass balance.” – Felix Koninx, Academic Program Lead for Patagonia Frontiers 

4. Teaching in Bolivia with Steamboat Mountain Global Studies

"We are so proud of this group and are really grateful to see and hear them take away these lessons and a deeper sense of self and their capabilities. It is so important to do hard things, realize you can do them, and then have that experience to draw upon when the next hard thing presents itself. They are building confidence and resilience in ways that only the wilderness can teach." – Emily and Gilbo, instructors, Steamboat Mountain School (view their related SMS blog, Global Studies: Bolivia)

5. Exploring on horse treks alongside our Gaucho neighbors and expert guides

6. Embracing wilderness ranch life 

This year’s crew was amazing, they really got into leatherwork, fashioning necessities like knife sheaths, fishing tool holsters, belts, and a martingale (tack to guide the horses). This caught the notice of Don Moncho and Don Luis, who reciprocated by sharing their expertise on how to humanely butcher our own ranch-raised cattle.  – John Hauf, Director

7. Restoring and enhancing the remote Claro Ranch, part of our wilderness classroom

We accomplished quite a few projects up at the Claro Ranch, an important outpost with a storied history for anyone who’s lived here in the valley. We’re committed to maintaining the work that’s already invested while making improvements; this year Don Luis very kindly took time from his own ranch work to come and assist with his time and talent, including fencing. Part of our work was getting supplies up the valley, carried by sweat and effort! It’s a sign of our commitment to honoring the cultural history of the place, just as we do for each of the ranches we steward. – John Hauf, Director

We are currently booking programs for the upcoming season and invite you to contact us to plan your trip.

John Hauf  founded Patagonia Frontiers in 1999 to connect people with wilderness through education, conservation, and adventure. From our wilderness ranch home, Patagonia Frontiers offers multi-day trekking, horseback trips, mountaineering, and education programs in the heart of Chilean Patagonia.