Gap Semester

Your course begins with an introduction to Patagonia in Balmaceda, Chile. From there, you’ll travel to Chile Chico, a quaint town on the shore of Lago General Carrera, one of the largest lakes in South America. After a few days getting acquainted with the local community, you’ll depart for a two-week trek through the Jeinimeni Reserve and Parque Patagonia. While traveling through spectacular glacial valleys and over mountain passes, you’ll gain all of the essential skills to live and travel comfortably in a backcountry environment. In addition, you’ll begin daily Spanish lessons and delve into the ethics of conservation in the Patagonia region. 

Once back from your first expedition, you’ll travel north along the famous Carretera Austral highway to the small town of Futaleufú. Known for its iconic river of the same name, Futaleufú has become an international destination for whitewater rafting. It has also been at the center of conservation controversies due to increasing pressures to dam the river for energy and industry. In response, local and international stakeholders formed a strong coalition to oppose these dams, presenting an alternative model of sustainable development in the area. Through site visits and volunteer projects, you’ll develop an understanding of these issues and how they relate to the larger pressures of modernization on the region. Your time in the area culminates in a multi-day raft trip down “the Futa,” considered one of the best whitewater rivers in the world. You’ll get to unwind from the thrill of the river on an overnight ferry through the magnificent fjords on the Pacific coast, making your way down south for the next leg of your adventure. 

After a few transition days in Chile Chico, you’ll prepare for your most challenging expedition yet: a journey into the Northern Patagonia Ice Field. Covering over 1600 square miles, this ice sheet is the second largest in the world outside of the polar regions. Trekking up the magnificent Soler Valley, you’ll arrive at the foot of the tremendous glaciers and witness geology in action. You’ll explore the intersection of plate tectonics, climate change, and mountain culture, gaining a better scientific understanding of the landscape. You’ll also have the opportunity to attempt summits of peaks in the area, explore the region’s extensive glaciers, continuing to develop your ability to live and travel in this rugged environment.

Finally, you and your group will independently plan and execute a week-long backpacking expedition through a new wilderness area in southern Chile. This final week is a culmination and celebration of everything you’ve been working toward the past three months.