Active South America Condor trip February 23, 2013 Punta Arenas is almost 8,000 miles from my home in Washington State. It is roughly the same parallel south as I live north on the planet. I arrive at this "furthest south city on Earth" in late summer. I return to my home on the first day of spring 2 weeks later. That's how far away from my own beautiful back yard is some of the most incredible landscape I have ever seen. Patagonia wasn't on the top of my bucket list. But I am a mountain girl, a wilderness ranger at heart, and the Condor trip filled up a major depletion of mountain adventure. I'm not one to travel in groups, but I must say Active has packaged this trip with just the right amount of group fun and outdoor adventure - even for the serious individualist. Cynthia did magic with her seamless behind-the-scenes coordination. Somehow, buses were on time, baggage got transferred, meals were ready, mountains came out of the clouds at all the right times, condors soared, glaciers calved, and smiles were plentiful. Well, maybe Cynthia can't take all the credit, but she did make that offering to Pachamama on our first day hiking to Torres del Paine. Regarding that part I said about wilderness ranger at heart and rugged individualist, I would definitely make it clear that this trip is no walk in the park. I may be an aging baby boomer and I was certainly carrying an extra few holiday pounds, but Active's Condor description about needing no previous hiking experience might give some people the wrong impression. I'm sure Jai and Cynthia would carry us on their backs if they had to, but most of us want to avoid that kind of humiliation. I was quite surprised to find that water was clean and drinkable almost everywhere we went on the trip. That and the fresh produce was a huge bonus. Here in the U.S. we have gotten in the habit of filtering water even in wilderness. As for the food, Cynthia has conducted a thorough investigation of the best restaurants in every town. I surely didn't expect to eat at such trendy or upscale establishments. The food was outstanding, although I can't believe how much meat I consumed in such a short period of time. I even ate guanaco at Cynthia's suggestion. Kudos to the guides for knowing and sharing so much about the local culture, history, geology, wildlife, and plants. When I travel I enjoy immersing myself in knowledge about the places I visit, and they graciously answered my many questions. If you want to see some amazing scenery (yes, we have the Cascade Range and the Rockies, but believe me this is nothing like you've seen in the U.S.), be pampered with super-attentive guided service, eat well, sleep well, and make new friends all at once then this is your trip. My only disappointment was missing the penguins on the last day, but nature doesn't always play fair. Oh, and I'd drop that funny little mountain biking trip around the Milodon caves. Seems like it wasn't much juice for the squeeze. Happy trails, Barbara Kenady-Fish

| January 1970