Patagonia, Chile

Lessons learned on the long road to healing. Camping, hitchhiking, resting, and hostel-hopping within the Chilean Patagonian backcountry and beyond.

The Making of a Brave Woman

Part 1

From Santiago to Puerto Natales, anxiety builds as the first big phase of the trip looms an 85-mile point-to-point thru-hike through Torres del Paine National Park. Gotta get past those wild dogs first.

Talking and Laughing in Patagonian Backcountry

Part 2

Good thing trails attract friendly people. Witness an introvert take on the hardest thing about this hike: making friends.

Like Seeing a Fox in the Snow

Part 3

A flooded tent, hours of solitude, an emotional reckoning, and lots of hope.

Our Sister, the Ice Monster

Part 4

Words straight from the journal as I get up close and personal with a mighty glacier. It’s funny how similar we are.

An Inch is a Cinch, but a Yard is Hard

Part 5

12 grueling hours hiking through the John Gardner Pass, learning life lessons along the way. Will I ever feel the same? Will I bring this perspective back to LA? Will my knees ever forgive me?