Imagine enduring your first steep hike of several hours up the beautiful granite walls of the Trinity or Amphitheater valleys, and just as you emerge from the forest you smell and then see smoke. As you get closer, you follow it back to its source to see a circle of blackened granite boulders, a smoking campfire, tents with plastic tarps, trash tossed aside, dirty pots and pans, and piles of camping and climbing gear everywhere. And not just one site, but many. In the distant bushes, scraps of feces and toilet paper.
Many hikers complained about these scenes and the human impact caused on nature by these campers, mostly climbers. During the last decade, the number of climbers and other visitors camping in the high altitude valleys of Anfiteatro, Trinidad, Paloma and Arco Iris has increased significantly, resulting in negative impacts to the particular ecosystems of each valley and hills.
There is no one in charge of stopping disrespectful behavior towards Cochamó's nature except for you. Speak through your own example and share friendly chats with those you may encounter along your path.
Several nonprofit organizationOrganización Valle Cochamó, Conserva Pucheguin, Puelo Patagonia and Friends of Cochamó), along with neighboring landowners, climbers and other tourist operators, have, in the past two years, pushed a campaign to minimize these impacts. They have implemented some of the following guidelines to follow.
This ancient forest with its millenary alerce trees and centenary coihues, mañios, tepas, is drier than ever due to climate change. To build a fire is to risk losing it! You can already notice the impact on its environment due to the use of campfires in the last decade leaving less and less vegetation. Please do not further impact or risk these fragile natural environments, cherished by many.
Por favor, take a gas stove to cook.
Only use bivouacs when necessary as part of the logistics for multi-pitch climbs that cannot be done from the camps in the La Junta sector.
If you have to spend the night in the high altitude valleys, please bivouac only.
Help minimize the impact we have on the fragile environment of these upper valleys.
Keep your bivouac at least 50 meters from the main trail and running water, and out of sight of day-hikers.
Keep the bivouac and your belongings out of sight of hikers. Use Leave-No-Trace techniques. Make sure your bivouac is tidy, and inconspicuous, so uninformed visitors will not assume it's a camp site. In the past these "camps" have attracted more campers, especially non climbers who don't necessarily depend on advanced camps for having success on their route.
Many people drink from the same watercourse in the lower valley. And there are many of us who visit the valley. Wash and wash more than 50 meters from the watercourses and use biodegradable detergents or, ideally, no detergents. It is recommended to treat the water before drinking especially if you draw water from the stream in the Amphitheater.
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