Andes Nativa

The first opportunities to travel to Chile, participating in projects within the fields Science and Research are being offered in the Patagonia. This way one can accompany the fascinating research works and as volunteers give the scientists a hand.

This might be during a research trip in order to learn more about the different types of whales and their ways of communicating along the Chilean coast, or as part of a scientific team for archeological analysis in the future National park Patagonia, in the region of Aysén.

Archaeology in future Patagonia Park This program offers the opportunity to participate as a member of the archaeological team in the excavation work, live in this fascinating wildlife reserve and contribute to the creation of a truly sustainable conservation project.

Overview of the Study

Created in 2000, Conservacion Patagonica has placed 460,000 acres of critical Patagonian habitat into permanent protection. In order to permanently protect these stunningly beautiful wildlands we need to have as complete a register as possible of its resources, both natural and cultural. This commitment to an integral management and conservation plan led to the collaboration of the park administrators with the Sustainable Tourism Department of the Research Center on Patagonian Ecosystems - CIEP in order to study the rich archaeological heritage of the Chacabuco Valley.

The archeology of the Chacabuco Valley –backbone of this future Park- was first studied in 1970 focusing on the rock art (cave paintings) in the natural rock shelters of the upper valley, close to the border with Argentina. Subsequent studies in the 80´s and 90´s focused on a large rock shelter and the surface distributional record of the upper valley. More recent works have extended these studies to the whole valley an now register over three hundred archeological sites and isolated finds, making Chacabuco the valley with the most abundant record of this kind in the whole Aysén region. This research has also allowed the generation of many interesting research hypotheses. It seems likely that the Upper course of the valley was most intensively occupied in the last three or four hundred years while the most intensive occupations of the lower reaches of the valley may date to earlier times. Both “pulses” are clearly related to populations that may have spent most of the year on the eastern steppes evidenced by the raw lithic materials that come from that area and are not local to the valley. It may even be that the presence on the lower parts of the valley relates to a route through the high Chacabuco ranges from the steppes to the southwestern shores of Lago General Carrera (further north) and not to the supposed movement along the valley bottom.

In order to refine these ideas it is necessary to continue the research project; Between January 21and February 5, 2011 a team comprising 2 experienced Argentine Archeologists, 2 archeologists from the University of Montana and a Chilean team of 7, led by Dr. Francisco Mena will conduct an extensive study. One team will work on the excavation of Cueva Los Carneros while a second one will dig two minor sites in the Lower Chacabuco Valley.

DATES & RATES:

January 20 - February 4, 2011; rates on request

Itinerary

Day 1(20th January 2011): Meet in Coyhaique at “Las Salamandras” hostel and enjoy the afternoon to rest and relax, to walk around town or even to visit the local brewery. Meet with the coordinators of the archeological team for dinner, a presentation on the history of the region and the archeological works already realized. Coordination of travel arrangements and the rest of your stay in the region. (Check Notes on “Getting Here”).

Day 2: Travel along the “Carretera Austral” past Cerro Castillo (Castle Mountain) to Puerto Rio Tranquilo where we will visit the unique Marble Chapels, a group of marble islands and caves in the General Carrera Lake, before continuing to the source of the Baker river which we follow south as far as the Chacabuco valley. Once in Valle Chacabuco camp will be set up close to the administration centre where we will meet with the rest of the team.

Day 3 to 8: The team will be split into 2 work groups, each installing a camp close to the sites to be excavated. The archeologists will direct the work and all members of each group will participate in the excavation, camp chores and work associated with an archeological study.

Day 9 & 10: The 2 groups of volunteers will leave the excavation sites and travel first to Puerto Bertrand where they can participate in a fun whitewater raft trip on the headwater rapids of the Baker river. The rest of the day is dedicated to driving south along the river to the sea and the unique village of Tortel. Everyone will stay in local guest house. Before returning north to the Chacabuco valley there are a number of short walks or optional boat rides (not included in the price) to some of the attractions close to Tortel. Once back at the valley volunteers change excavation sites and spend the remainder of the time concluding the two projects with the archeologists.

Day 11 to 15: Continuation of the two excavations. In both cases there will be time to hike a little and get to know the wildlife in the valley.

Day 16: The two sites will be closed down, the collections registered and preliminary field reports begun. The whole team will meet together in the main camp area for a big Patagonian BBQ dinner and evaluation of the experience.

Day 17: Return travel to Coyhaique, end of trip dinner in town and a night in Las Salamandras hostal. End of Program.

NOTES:

As part of team with a very clear objective of excavating an archeological site every participant, including paying volunteers is expected to:

Participate positively in the work schedule and contribute to the team effort.
Participate in daily chores of cooking, washing, collecting water etc.
To practice minimal environmental impact techniques at all times(see “Leave No Trace” notes)
All participants are expected to respect local customs and Chilean law.
To entrust all archeological artifacts to the team.

It should be noted that all archeological artifacts are treated under Chilean law as national heritage and must be handled, registered and stored in accordance with the regulations set out in the permits that authorize the project.

During this 7 day sail boat odyssey, we will have the opportunity to photo identify individual whales and dolphins, make sound recordings of their language and develop sailing skills in some of the more pristine fjords of Patagonia.

OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY

Heike Vester is a marine Biologist from Germany who studies sound recordings from Pilot whales, Orcas and Bottle-nose dolphins. She owns and runs Ocean Sounds, a private organization based in Norway that is dedicated to the research of marine animals, public education, and conservation of the marine environment.

Heike is passionate about oceans and marine wildlife and has dedicated herself to understanding them so that she can better help protect the fjords and oceans that have become her home. She spends her time traveling between Norway and Chile collecting identification data and sound recordings for her research.

She is associated with the Max Planck Institute and the School of Biology of the University in Göttingen in Germany, where her research focuses on the structure and evolution of language in Killer and Pilot whales.

DATES AND RATES

Departure for several trips during January – February – March 2011; Rates & dates on request.

Itinerary

Day 1: We will meet at 12 am in Coyhaique. After being welcomed by your guide you will drive to Puerto Cisnes, harbor of Swans, a growing fishing village by the fiords of Aysén. In Puerto Cisnes, you will meet the sailing crew and scientist, settle on board the Agartha, enjoy a walk in town and finish the day with a team dinner on the yacht.

Day 2: After a nice breakfast we’ll set sail through the Puyuhuapi Channel, a fjord of glacial origin with abrupt, jagged shores and covered by dense forest towards Puerto Gaviota, a 90 person fishing community with one local school serving 15 children, a local church, a medical post and about 30 houses. During the 5-6 hour sail you will be introduced to safety and hazards on board, basic sailing terminology, roles and rules and have some time to get your sea legs. Here we will enjoy a local meal cooked by Senora Johanna who will share her house for a talk and slide show presentation on the ongoing scientific work in the region and the scientific support we will provide during the next few days. We will learn about the different sea mammals that are living in the area, typical behavior and ways of recognizing them. Our scientist will bring awareness to the ecological dangers currently faced within the communities of marine wildlife and the Aysén ecosystems in general. You will learn about the impact of Salmon farms and other sources of marine pollution and have a chance to share the experiences and expectations of the scientific and conservation community.

Day 3: We begin with an early morning sail towards the Tysnes Islands, three small rocky islands in the middle of the Moraleda Channel, populated by bird and seal colonies. Here you will get your first, hands on, photo identification practice, population counting and behavior observation. After setting up marine mammal observation watches and sailing teams, we’ll sail though the Ninualac Channel towards Isla Kent. Each crew member will participate in observation and navigation practices. We will anchor at Isla Kent, where hundreds of years ago, indigenous canoe tribes lived and depended on seals and whales as a source of food and sustenance.

Day 4: Today, we set sail for Bahia Aventura, a large shallow bay, open to the Pacific Ocean. Our main goal will be to reach the continental shelf, where depths drop from 50 meters to 200 meters or more. This change in ocean profundity results in dramatically higher food density for marine wildlife populations. We will set up the Hydrophone and start listening for sounds of Pilot whales, Bottle-nose dolphins and other possible marine mammals. During the sail, you’ll get hands on practice with sailing, compass steering, tacking, jibing, wind direction and navigation. In the evening, we´ll anchor at Isla Lemu.

Day 5 – 6: The next two days will consist of sailing around Adventure Bay. Depending on weather and wind, we may sail towards Isla Guambling or Isla Ipun, Isla Conejo or as far as Isla Anna Pink. Our priority will be to assist our resident scientist in her research on whales, Orcas and dolphins, taking sound recordings and contributing to the ongoing library of photo identification; all of which helps with determining quantities and behaviors. A typical day will consist of an early breakfast and setting sail at 9 am. We will sail until 6 pm, taking turns watching out for sea life, navigating and sailing. When close to whales, Orcas or dolphins, each team member will have a task, which might include photographing, filming, recording, taking notes and GPS points, or helping to maneuver the sail boat. If weather is too rough to sail out to the open ocean we’ll sail around the islands, where Chilean and Peales dolphins are usually sighted. We may take a kayak trip or look for marine fossils, visit beaches and surely go through lengthy debates on how to help protect the ocean from waste, garbage and over fishing.

Day 7: Today, we start our return sail through the channels towards Isla Madgalena, passing by seals and bird colonies and observing dolphins.

Day 8: Around mid day, we will arrive in Puerto Cisnes, a bigger fishing village halfway between Puerto Gaviota and Puyuhuapi. We will be met by a bus which will transport you to Coyhaique, the regional capital. Evening meal and lodging in a hotel (see lodging options) plus the opportunity to review research results and contribute to future research and program planning.

Day 9: Either transfer to Balmaceda airport and continue with personal travel plans or stay in Coyhaique to pursue other interests in the area. services finishes with breakfast on day 9.

NOTES

As part of a team with a very clear objective of scientific Ocean research, every participant is expected to:

Participate positively in the research and contribute to the team effort.
To practice minimal environmental impact techniques at all times
All participants are expected to respect local customs and Chilean law.