Explore Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park
Stacia Zukroff/Reji Joseph
<12/26/2005-1/11/2006>
APPLICATION TO LEAD AN AMC MAJOR EXCURSION
(Use the F1 key to summon help for most fields)
(Forms and General Information: http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/ )
1. SUMMARY INFORMATION
A) Trip Title:
Explore Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park
B)
C)
D)
E)
Stacia Zukroff
Reji Joseph
<12/26/2005-1/11/2006>
Backpacking
Leader:
Co-Leader(s):
Dates:
Type of Trip:
F) Participants: (not counting leaders) Minimum: 6
Total # of days:
16
Maximum: 8
G) Advertised Cost: $2,195.00
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Explore Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park
Stacia Zukroff/Reji Joseph
<12/26/2005-1/11/2006>
2. TRIP DETAILS
A) Executive Summary: Brief outline of trip and trip activities.
This is a 16 day hiking and backpacking trip to the Torres Del Paine National Park in the
Patagonian Andes region of Chile. The circuit itself is about 63 miles long and requires a
minimum of 7 days of backpacking. After building in some side trips and buffer, we expect to
spend a maximum of 10 days on the trails. It will also take two full days to reach the park
entrance, so we plan to split up the trip by staying in Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales one night
each.
B) Accommodations: Please describe your plans for accommodation(s).
The accomodations will be a combination of hotels, refugios (shelters) and campsites. During
the time that the group is on the Circuit, we will be staying in the ANDESCAPE/CONAF refugios
and campsites.
C) Permits: Does the trip require special permits (required on all U.S. federal lands
Yes
Yes, park permits will be required and it will acquired on arrival at the Park Headquarters.
D) Equipment: Does the trip require special/technical equipment?
No
<If YES explain what equipment is needed and will any of it be provided by the trip>
E) Conservation/Education/Recreation:: Given that the AMC Mission Statement is as follows
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America's oldest conservation and recreation
organization. We promote the protection, enjoyment, and wise use of the mountains, rivers, and trails
of the Appalachian region. We believe that the mountains and rivers have an intrinsic worth and also
provide recreational opportunity, spiritual renewal, and ecological and economic health for the
region. We encourage people to enjoy and appreciate the natural world because we believe that
successful conservation depends on this experience. We fulfill our mission through the three
interconnecting pillars of the AMC: conservation, education, and recreation
How will this major excursion meet this mission of conservation, education, and recreation?
For examples, please see <http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/mission/>
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine is located in far Southern Chile. Before it became a
National Park it had been subject to highly destrictive grazing practicies, from which it is still
recovering. In 1978, it was declared an international biosphere reserve by UNESCO. The park is
rich in flora, fauna and other natural wonders like ice mushrooms which are seen in very few
areas outside Patagonia. In addition, there is abundant and diverse bird life. An example is the
Chilean flamingo and the Andean Condor. Torres del Paine faces a lot of ecological and
environmental challenges, including ozone depletion and global warming that has affected the
glaciers. The group will attempt to understand the problems the park faces. This will be done
through interpretive presentations at the park headquarters and on the trail.
F) Outfitters: Will this trip require an outfitter?
No
Name: <If YES provide outfitter's name>
Safety record: <Provide information about their safety record>
Liability insurance: <Provide information about the oufitter's liability insurance>
Emergency response: <Describe the outfitters SOP in case of emergencies>
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Explore Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park
Stacia Zukroff/Reji Joseph
<12/26/2005-1/11/2006>
3. LEADER INFORMATION
A) Contact Information:
Leader:
Stacia Zukroff
28 Lakehill Ave.
Arlington, MA 02474
(home) 781-648-5503
(work) 781-239-4005
(e-mail) szukroff@yahoo.com
Co-Leader:
Reji Joseph
587 Summer St.
Arlington, MA 02474
(home) 781-316-1961
(work) 617-834-0327 (Cell)
(e-mail) joseph_reji@hotmail.com
B) First Aid Training
To lead a Major Excursion, you must have current CPR and Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or
its equivalent at the time of your trip.
Leader:
CPR: 6/2006
WFA: 6/2005
Other: <Describe course; expiration date>
Co-Leader:
CPR: Expired
WFA: April, 2005
Other: <Describe course; expiration date>
If CPR and/or WFA certifications will expire before your trip starts, describe your plans
for re-certification:
Reji Joseph will be attending an AWFA and CPR course before the trip. Stacia will be
recertifying her AWFA in June 2005 and BLS will be current.
C) Leader Experience and Training
New Leaders: If you are a new leader or co-leader, you must have submitted the form
“Application to Become a Major Excursions Leader”.
Experienced Major Excursions Leaders: Please list below the last three trips you have led for
the AMC including destination, type of trip (backpacking, skiing, etc.), dates, and number of
participants. Feel free to list additional trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate
experience related to the trip you are proposing.
1. Alaska
2. Canadian Rockies
3. Nepal
Others:
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Pg. 3 of 8
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Explore Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park
Stacia Zukroff/Reji Joseph
<12/26/2005-1/11/2006>
D) Scouting:
Have you or your co-leader led this trip before or traveled in the area?
Yes
Stacia visited Torres del Paine in 1995 for three days. She did one of the glacier hikes and
stayed at the refugios. In addition, she used public transportation to get to places.
E) Special Experience:
Are any special skills or experience on the part of the participants required?
<If "Yes" please describe>
No
F) Couples:
Do the Leader and Co-leader have a significant personal relationship?
<If "Yes" please detail plans if one party cannot go>
No
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Pg. 4 of 8
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Explore Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park
Stacia Zukroff/Reji Joseph
<12/26/2005-1/11/2006>
4. RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks/hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it
may affect your trip with specific potential hazards. Then, devise a plan to attempt to prevent
each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary.
A) Climate/Terrain
Potential Hazards: <Western parts of the park do experience localized weather patterns and it
can be unstable resulting in high precipitation levels. In addition, certain areas can be extremely
windy.
Response:
Both leaders are experienced in leading trips under variable weather
conditions, year around. In addition, gear and planning is critical to deal with such situations. The
gear list will be prepared accordingly.
The Paine circuit is well marked with Orange stakes and paint, such that there shouldn't be
any navigational issues. Reliable bridges provide safe crossings of all larger streams.
B) Foreign Countries
Potential Hazards: Chile has relatively little crime. The group will need to be mindful of pickpocketing.
Response:
Group will get information and suggestions for carrying money and
important documents. Stacia Zukroff speaks fluent Spanish, so language is not an iddue.
C) Transportation
Potential Hazards: Public transportation
Response:
All participants are expected to buy their own insurance for Emergency
evacuation, baggage loss, flight delay, ticket issues and any medical situations.
The group will be hiring private shuttles to transport the group from the Airport to the hotels,
from Puntas Arena to the park and from the park to Puntas Arena.
D) Participants
Potential Hazards: <Skill level, health, group dynamics>
Response:
This is an intermediate level backpacking trip and it is expected that all the
participants have multi-day backpacking experience of at least 4 days.
E) Other
Potential Hazards: <Conditions unique to this trip>
Response:
<Prevention or response to identified risks>
5. EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Please use as much detail as
possible and attach additional sheets if necessary.
A) Emergency Communication
CONAF: Chilean Park Service
All the refugios have radios
All the refugios have caretakers
ANDESCAPE contact information - 061-412592 (Puerto Natales) OR 02-2355225 (Santiago)
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Explore Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park
Stacia Zukroff/Reji Joseph
<12/26/2005-1/11/2006>
B) Evacuation
<out of backcountry location, out of foreign country>
Horses and helicopters are available in the park for emergency evacuation
C) Medical Care
There are hospitals in both Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas. The CONAF park service has a
fairly good first aid service station at its various entrances to the park. Minor injuries can be
treated there, while more severe injuries would need to be transported or airlifted to these
hospitals. Everyone on the trip will be required to have medical insurance and evacuation
insurance.
Before you leave for you trip, you will need to provide a list of participants and their
emergency contacts in case something happens to someone in the field as well as an itinerary
with phone numbers (where available) in case something happens at home.
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Explore Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park
Stacia Zukroff/Reji Joseph
<12/26/2005-1/11/2006>
6. COST INFORMATION
A) What deposits are will be required from airlines, hotels, outfitters, etc. (and when):
Airline will require $100 per person but have a generous cancellation policy. Hotels and other
expenses will not be made until trip is full.
B) What is the latest date for you to cancel and get a full refund? :
Airlines usually give
you 90 days to cancel spots and still receive a full refund. Hotel cancellation policies are 48hour advance notice.
C) What is the value of the deposit you will require of the participants?
$ 800
D) What will be your cancellation policy for the participants?
A full refund minus a cancellation fee of $50 will be provided if cancelled by 7/26/04. the
only exception to this is if the leaders have to make advance payments and are not able to fill
the spot.
E) Will trip run if minimum participant count not met?
Leaders will evaluate how much they will be able to pay out of pocket.
Yes
7. PRIVATE TRIPS
Are you currently (up to and including the time frame of this proposed trip) leading trips that
are “private,” i.e. not sponsored by the AMC?
No
8. AMC OUTDOORS INFORMATION
Please see <http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/info/Trip_Notice_Rules.html> for the current rules
and schedule for submitting notices for AMC Outdoors. E-mail both the long (150 words
maximum) and short form (50 word maximum) trip announcements to goeke@space.mit.edu ,
preferably in plain text format, at the same time you submit the trip application. Although the trip
notices travel a different route to the Committee, it helps to have the notices on the web site when
the trip is reviewed.
It your trip notice is somewhat preliminary at this time, that’s OK. You have plenty of
opportunity to change it before the publication deadline. If you don’t want to have the first (long)
notice appear at the normal time – see the above referenced rules – include your special request
in the body of the e-mail containing the trip notices.
After you trip is approved, please check your trip announcements as posted on the Major
Excursions web site: http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/ ; we cut-and-paste directly from this site
to AMC Outdoors !
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Explore Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park
Stacia Zukroff/Reji Joseph
<12/26/2005-1/11/2006>
9. TRIP PROPOSAL AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Trips cannot come before the Major Excursions Committee for approval unless the forms are
completely filled out and received three weeks prior to MEC meetings for review. Please make
sure you have filled out all appropriate sections of this form completely. Note that the following
forms are also required to complete the application; see the Handbook section of the Major
Excursions web site for forms and instructions.

Leader Qualification information

Detailed cost information
 Medical History: Both leader and co-leader need to have a recent copy of the AMC
Confidential Medical Form on file at 5 Joy St. This form can be obtained on the Major
Excursions web site or call Heidi Reilly at 617-523-0655 x356 to receive a hard copy by mail.
 Copies of first aid certifications and medical forms should be submitted in hard copy only.
These can be faxed (marked attn: Heidi Reilly) to 617-367-8878 or mailed to the Major
Excursions, 5 Joy St. address below.
By turning in this proposal, you are agreeing to the following:
I have read the Major Excursions Leader Handbook and I agree to follow all policies and
procedures of the Major Excursions Committee and the Appalachian Mountain Club in
preparing for and conducting my major excursion.

Please save and forward your electronic document in the following format:
Leader’s Last Name, Trip destination-Trip Activity (if applicable), Trip Start date.
For example: Zukroff-New-Zealand-Hiking-12-26-03.doc
Email should be sent to both of the following two addresses:
Stacia Zukroff, Major Excursions Committee Chair at <mecchair@amcboston.org>
Heidi Reilly, AMC Travel Programs Coordinator at <hreilly@amcinfo.org>
Or, if you unable to send electronically, please mail a single hard copy to:
Heidi Reilly
Appalachian Mountain Club
Five Joy Street
Boston, MA 02108
Questions? Contact Stacia Zukroff at <mecchair@amcboston.org> or 617-795-1651.
She can put you in touch with an experienced MEC mentor who can help you with trip planning.
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16