Exploring the End of the World
Words by Sandra Hillen. Images by Sandra Hillen, Kirsten Lima, and Kara Strehle. This article was originally posted on zealoptics.com.
If you’re like me, there’s not much more exciting than discovering exotic, distant places and seeing them for yourself. I’d heard about this place called Ushuaia, Argentina. Coined “The End of the World,” it’s home of the southern-most ski resort on the planet. I never thought I would actually have the opportunity to travel to such a remote part of Earth but when my Argentinean friend Gunther Schopfer invited me to Patagonia in August, I knew I would be insane not to go.
I met Gunther last summer at High Cascade Snowboard Camp in Oregon. For this trip, he organized an amazing adventure for myself and an all-star crew of fellow riders and passionate snowboarders to explore in the famed peaks of the southern Andes. Also joining us on this epic journey were some of Gunther’s welcoming friends and family, who generously provided an authentic, local experience that was invaluable.
Everyone’s face was glued to the window as we made our decent. The region of Patagonia stretched endlessly below us into the sea as the plane headed for our destination – an island off the coast called Tierra del Fuego or “Land of Fire.” Trust me, the life and energy of this place is undeniable and it lives up to its name. The most famous and daunting of all the mountains in the region is named Mount Olivia, but we’ll get back to her later.
On a side note, I have an aunt named Olivia. You don’t mess with her either.
We quickly settle in Tierra del Fuego by spending the first couple of days exploring the local resort of Cerro Castor. We met up with Alfonso Lavado, a friend and legendary local who knows this place like the back of his hand. With his guidance, we took some “in-bounds” hidden runs to zones dotted with playful cliffs and pockets of untouched powder. With the stunning views and terrain that can appeal to anyone, this resort alone is worth a trip to the area.
The next couple of days brought some welcome precipitation but also warmer weather and howling winds that kept us from getting into the terrain as much as we’d have liked. Once the storm passed, we were clear to continue with our next adventure: taking a helicopter into the backcountry. The views were spectacular as we flew in and out of the rocky peaks on our way to meet our guides at a secluded valley on the backside of Mount Olivia. Since we’d arrived, she’d been looming over us, shrouded by the clouds. Now here we were, seeing her at eye level on a clear and perfect day. I couldn’t wait.
The snow season was a bit lower than usual but that didn’t stop us from searching to find some fresh lines. Despite a handful of rock chips and core shots, the energy remained super high and we literally felt on top of “the end of the world.” The magical experience of being isolated on the backside of Mt. Olivia with the energy of like-minded friends in this ridiculously beautiful spot made the day indescribable. Days like this deserve champagne toasts.
This trip not only fed our bodies but our minds and souls as well. A good friend of Gunther’s who came along on the trip is a Peruvian shaman. After our epic day in the backcountry, the shaman taught us the practice of holotropic breathing. This is a centering technique that allows you to feel as though you break through to a new state of consciousness, all while conveniently avoiding LSD. Look it up, its wild.
Disclaimer…I am not professionally trained in this, never try alone.
Not only did Gunther know about good snow and positive vibes, he also killed it on the food front. His friend is the owner of Haruwen, an eclectic restaurant nestled deep in a valley just past Cerro Castor. In addition to the best wine of my life, we had a specially prepared meal of smoked lamb, empanadas, and other local favorites. I couldn’t eat enough. Damn, now I’m hungry again.
Undoubtedly, this was a trip of a lifetime. If you’ve ever considered heading to Argentina, just go. You won’t regret it for a second. If you haven’t considered it, I hope you will add it to your bucket list.
Keep getting out to find those hidden and less-frequented spots and absorb as much of the world as possible. Also! Huge thank you to Gunther and his family for the generosity in hosting us, showing us around and creating a trip none of us would have otherwise dreamed to be possible.
#findyourzeal
Follow Sandra on social: @_hurricanesandy
