Infrastructure & Safety
Our main office is in Coyhaique at Riquelme 372
street, just 2 blocks from the central plaza. From here we have as
many as 5 staff working between the office and guiding in the summer.
Further south in Puerto Bertrand we have a house / store / and office
where we base our expeditions from. This is also the centre for rafting
and kayaking on the rio Baker. A little further down stream we have
a camp area and take out on the banks of the river. Close by in the
Soler valley we have exclusive rights over the Palomar ranch and two
other sites along with the Sol de Mayo ranch at the head of the Colonia
valley.
Most of our transport needs are contracted although
we have our own pick up trucks for logistical support and boats on Lago
Colonia and Lago Bertrand. A fleet of 4 rafts, 10 kayaks and all the
asociated gear plus camping, hiking and moutaineering kit for all the
programs we run including top of the line mountain tents (Marmot or Mountain
Hardware) that is constantly reviewed and renewed to provide the best
possible infrastructure for clients participating in our programs. Hut
sites are in the process of being equiped with large dome tents, bathroom
systems and shower facilities. Both offices- Coyhaique and Puerto Bertrand-
are connected to permanent land line phones and internet.
About safety, as well as their individual experience
and expertise all guides are trained in wilderness first aid, rescue
and evacuation procedures, and travel with a satellite telephone plus
long distane two way radios in permanent camp areas. We operate an efficient,
fast and safe evacuation procedure determined by the location and conditions
which is tried and tested and calls on the services of profesional bush
pilots and boat handlers as necessary. All groups travel with a satellite
phone and extensive wilderness medical kit. We do not provide an insurance
service as part of our programs and insist that all clients take out
an appropriate insurance policy prior to travelling. In more than 10
years of running expeditions to wild places around Patagonia we have
not had a single accident requiring evacuation or hospitalisation. |
