Los Gigantes!

Haven't written in a while but I have some accounts to tell.



About 2 weeks ago Anna, Taylor, Brian and I signed up for a volunteer reforestation project in Los Gigantes which is a group of beautiful rock formations in the Sierras of Cordoba, pretty close to Condor National Park. I finally saw my first Condor! Brady I thank you for those binoculars! What a beautiful bird.
When we arrived at the bus stop with backpacks and curious excitement we were met by this sweet highschooler who was to lead us to the refuge. After backpacking up for 3 beautiful hours, sighting the condor and admiring the dramatic landscape of lush grasses, trickling streams and jutting rock formations, we finally arrived at the refuge. An area was fenced off for the project which has been researching and experimenting with reforestation techniques for about 15 years. The deforestation was from slash and burn practices to make space for cattle. Our "guide" told us this place used to be completely forest. Now there was hardly a tree in sight. In January the group had planted tabaquillo trees that are native to the area (the branches of one are peaking over the sign in the photo).


The refuge was nestled quietly between jutting masses of granite.


We arrived pretty exhausted and out of breath from the 3 hour incline and change of elevation, but ready to work nonetheless. And work we did! Basically what the project was doing was experimenting methods of reforestation to present the best option to the province to hopefully receive funds to continue throughout the area. That afternoon we transplanted this bushy grass called Poa to the sides of hills that had eroded, or were in danger of erosion, to prevent further damage. We worked until the sun went down and the fog came in and we could no longer see. I have noticed that though Argentinians may be relaxed and tranquil in their way of life, when they go to work they WORK. By the end we were EXHAUSTED but in the best way possible. The other volunteers were incredibly friendly and very interesting. We had a couple researchers, an ecology professor and then some just genuinely interested in volunteering for something they believe in. Our day ended with an AMAZING asado, a card game and acoustic guitar until the wee hours of the morning when we crawled into bed and slept like babies.
The next day we went to work mid-morning and after a shared lunch of pasta we were all set to trek out in time to catch our bus back home. However, a bit inconveniently, a storm came in, growled and rolled and hailed, and left almost as quickly as it came. It left us with a glimmering but slightly slippery hike back. What a great way to spend a weekend. I'm so glad I did this not only because it was a beautiful spot and great people, but because while I''m here living in Argentina I SHOULD give back and contribute to preserving such diverse and beautiful land.