Summer of Volcanoes and Snow

Going into this Summer I had no real plans - continue to push myself in climbing here in Utah, climb out east at the Red and New, maybe get up to the Gunks. I love climbing (and the people especially) but nothing gets me more motivated than chasing summits and powder, and in a new country, well actually different continent could be the best option to date. After meeting a couple at the Live Green SLC Festival I mentioned what they were doing as a joke for myself, only to get the best news.


So here are the details:

I am flying in to Santiago, Chile then driving to Nevados de Chillan from mid-July through mid-September where I will be living out of a car/tent. Sounds like a warm shelter for winter right? Fortunately, I got a 0 degree Teton Sports sleeping bag that will keep me warm enough as I sleep in the only clothes that I am bringing: a Columbia Omni-Wick/Heat shell and Pants. Continuing on what I am bringing includes the smallest list of goods: splitboard, avy gear, snowboard accessories, small cookset, underwear, socks, and I can't decide whether or not to bring some jeans and a classy party shirt or not. (Now that I've fully packed, my gear list is literally what can fit in this pack.)

Why am I doing this? Well I am going for work purposes, but also to climb active volcanoes and extend my winter. Summer and myself aren't the best of friends, and I'd much prefer to be miserable in a cold tent then be miserable in a heat wave that is currently slamming the West. Sandals, t-shirt and shorts weather is overrated anyway. Don't you think?

So much opportunity for exploration. (Guidebook from Frederic Lena)

Why for that long? I don't know, just seemed like a good time frame. Plus it'll give me the opportunity to hit all types of conditions.

For food, I am going to eat only what I can get in cans and I might just have to go vegan on this trip. There is a little stove that I am bringing from MSR that will help me cook the most bland meals that only pepper, salt, and Italian spices might make palpable.

Because of my lack of Spanish, I won't be able to communicate with anyone. Nevados de Chillan is a smaller, lesser known resort that has very little English influence whereas Portillo you could get around without it. I really hope this Rosetta Stone program teaches me the basics, and I'm really glad I took German in high school, lots of good that has done for me.

Showers, yeah that's not happening. Luckily though, yep I got some gear for that, I got some Action Wipes for the best other type of shower in the world better than baby wipes.

With a lack of electricity and caring, my beard is going to grow. I'm going to look haggard but the upside of the beard, now that's a real plus.

And of course, being Winter part 2, I will get to enjoy all of the new powder in Chile - a new continent, country, and some of the craziest terrain in the Andes mountains. This is my first big trip since The Most Epic Trip, except it's solo. I would be lying if denied being more nervous, but of course excitement will take over once I'm off that plane after an 11 hour flight.

Stay up with what I'm doing here on this site, and my Facebook/Twitter/Instagram - it's all linked below. I'm going to do my best to update with photos from my GoPro as much as possible. From my understanding Chile is not as third world as people think but it's still not that tech friendly either. We'll see how much wifi I can get. Now that Facebook has hashtags, stay up to date on photos/video by using the hashtag #SteveInSA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Here's what the zone will look like, or what I think it will look like anyway. Stoked!