One day we embarked on an hour-and-a-half hike that was almost entirely uphill, with a steep grade. We ended the hike near the river, where we had to jump on a zip line to cross the river back to camp. You held onto two straps, ran off a twenty-five-foot cliff, let go when you were over the river, and swam to the other side of the river. The water was mighty cold, but as soon as you climbed up on shore, you could jump right into the stone hot tub to get warm. Soon after, the guides arrived with wine, beer, and “happy hour” snacks—guacamole and empanadas.
Another day we went canyoneering, which I’d never done before. Wearing wetsuits and river shoes, we walked, scrambled, climbed, and jumped from boulder to boulder through the river rapids and waterfalls. This activity required a great deal of agility, flexibility, and guts—guts because you sometimes had to leap three feet from one slippery boulder to another. Angie took a little spill and survived with a massive black-and-blue on her butt, which she proudly displayed in the hot tub.
Every day we supported and encouraged each other, embracing each day’s new challenges. All of the activities were exhilarating and rewarding … and sometimes, just plain exhausting. We all had aching muscles and bruises, but nothing the natural hot tubs and traveling masseuse couldn’t cure. (Yes, there was a Chilean woman, Claudia, who traveled from camp to camp with us and offered massages—$25 for a half hour, and $45 for an hour). We even started our own impromptu morning yoga class to stretch our aching muscles for the coming day.
The strenuous activities were encouraged but not mandatory, and those with injuries or who just wanted to relax could stay behind at the camp to read, hike, or fly fish.
Dinner and After
We’d return from the day’s activities around 5:00 p.m. and hit the hot tub; wine and hors d’oeuvres were served around the hot tub at 6:00 p.m. “Happy hour” often ran right into dinner, when we would gather around a campfire to tell stories and revisit the adventures of the day. Dinner was served al fresco around the campfire. The food was plentiful and varied—fresh fruit everyday, oatmeal, omelettes, steak, chicken, and pasta. The last night culminated in a traditional Chilean asado (sheep roasted over fire) for the farewell dinner. Homegrown Chilean wine was provided each night. (I was told our crew drank more wine than most other groups!)
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