That photo in the header: Atacama desert, the driest place on earth and home to the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. It's kinda a big deal to walk across it which is just one little sliver of what the adventure storytellers in this week's podcast are doing.
America to America: Trekking 23,000 miles from South America to Alaska.
All under human power.
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Featuring Lauren "Neon" Reed (right), a thru-hiking triple crowner and off-trail navigation expert and Bethany "Fidgit" Hughes (left), PCT thru-hiker, fluent Spanish speaker, and reformed non-profit worker. Photo: Their Only Portrait
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Adventure QuoteSome of the information you think is going to be the least helpful is the most helpful. ~ Lauren "Neon" Reed about her mountain trekking experience navigating with Fidgit across Patagonia. Lauren "Neon" Reed on her adventure treks |
Location at the time of the podcast: Salar de Uyuni (Bolivian Salt Flats)
I had the chance to talk with Fidgit (Bethany) and Lauren (Neon) in Uyuni Bolivia right after they skirted the 4000 square mile Salt Flats in Bolivia. Check out this article on Atlas Obscura with a photo of the 4000 square mile salt flats.
Where they were: Parque Patagonia and who is Doug Tompkins?
Trekking and navigating through Patagonia is commonly unmapped and off trail.
A large privately owned land conservation area in Patagonia that was recently given over to the Chilean government. The founder's husband, Doug Tompkins did an important climb with her good friend Yvon Chouinard up Mount Fitzroy, the most iconic peak in Patagonia. Anyone who has ever heard of the outdoor apparel business Patagonia is familiar with the peak because it's featured in the logo. Mr. Chouinard is the founder of Patagonia.
For a really nice history of the park read this description and background by Fidgit.
For a really nice history of the park read this description and background by Fidgit.
Neon and Fidgit's Trekking Gear
Everyone always wants to know so here is the simplest version:
- Typical trekking gear.
- Delorme GPS Tracker
- Not really anything else special
Mountain Trekking Adventure Story: Not just another thru hike
This week's podcast tells the story of navigating and trekking between Gauchos. It also required some local dialect navigation.
Fidgit says this is like a graduate program. That's because they are doing some intense navigation and trekking and interacting and documenting what they discover locally, including their HerStories which feature women adventurers and business owners who they meet along the way. Go to the Her Odyssey website to follow along and subscribe to their email list to get notifications about their most recent discoveries and stories.
Neon and Fidgit's Go Fund Me is so much more than just a request for money to support their journey. They are creating unique and hyperlocal content, and when you you Fund them, you're funding local business owners for example, a Chilean artist who designed their stickers, and giving them the ability to hire local guides for areas difficult or unsafe to navigate independently. Your support is an upstream payment that facilitates ongoing content that allow you to experience the journey too as they develop the Herstories and the Patagonia guide, Plan your Path, that will get you off the beaten path in Patagonia.
Neon and Fidgit's Go Fund Me is so much more than just a request for money to support their journey. They are creating unique and hyperlocal content, and when you you Fund them, you're funding local business owners for example, a Chilean artist who designed their stickers, and giving them the ability to hire local guides for areas difficult or unsafe to navigate independently. Your support is an upstream payment that facilitates ongoing content that allow you to experience the journey too as they develop the Herstories and the Patagonia guide, Plan your Path, that will get you off the beaten path in Patagonia.
Music
c4. Robot Rave II.
c4. Pieces.
Komiku. Down the River.
Marco Castelli. In Her Name.
Blue Dot Sessions. Coronea.
Maricz. Ukulele Jam.
c4. Pieces.
Komiku. Down the River.
Marco Castelli. In Her Name.
Blue Dot Sessions. Coronea.
Maricz. Ukulele Jam.
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