
Hiking in Torres del Paine
World famous trekking awaits in Torres del Paine National Park. Each valley, peak and pass hides its own treasures, be it hanging glaciers, vast pampas, twisted metamorphic rock or…
Discover MoreHere at Swoop, we all share a love for the extreme destinations in which we work. As a result, we work to make these places more accessible for people all over the world in order to share our own special experiences. But there are ways in which we can manage our impact and choose sustainable travel options so that we can maintain and protect the ecosystems that we value so much.
“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
—Aldo Leopold
The biggest impact of visitors on the environment is erosion. Even the most careful hiker, when one of thousands, can contribute to the destruction of vegetation surrounding the trails. The harsh environment means that fragile plants, most easily trampled, take a long time to grow back.
The wilderness of Patagonia is also subject to the destructive impacts of forest fires. Since 1985, three man-made fires have ravaged almost ⅕ of the park. Nearly 45,000 hectares of native lenga tree forests have been destroyed in these fires, around the size of Barbados.
Another major environmental threat arises from increased waste as visitor numbers grow and campsites continue to operate at capacity throughout the season. Without composting toilets and a strict carry-out policy, the disposal of human waste continues to present itself as a problem.
If you’ll be adventuring around Torres del Paine, there are steps you can take to reduce your impact on the trails. Leave No Trace is a set of principles that can help guide you to becoming a steward of this land.
The following are a selection from the Leave No Trace Seven Principles. © 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
Photo credit: Jimmy Ngo
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife
Photo credit: Emily Hopcian
The Legacy Fund is the first of its kind in Torres del Paine. Instead of trying to swim against the strong current of tourism in the area, the Legacy Fund leverages the powerful resources travelers can provide - volunteering and opportunities to donate to sustainable projects.
By creating powerful partnerships between local businesses and non-profits, the Fund has achieved a huge amount since its formation in 2014:
You can join their growing community of responsible visitors by making a donation at www.supporttdp.org. The Legacy Fund also creates volunteer opportunities for interested parties. If you’re interested, you can contact emily@supporttdp.org
Photo credit: Project Eudaimonia
World famous trekking awaits in Torres del Paine National Park. Each valley, peak and pass hides its own treasures, be it hanging glaciers, vast pampas, twisted metamorphic rock or…
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