Pack and Paddle Patagonia's Torres del Paine
Andrea Deaton/John Crist
12/27/2008-1/12/2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form
The following pages contain the application to lead an AMC Major Excursion. Please complete the form with as
much detail as possible, and attach additional sheets if necessary. Also include a detailed budget/costing sheet
that clearly shows all costs associated with your planned excursion. The trip proposal form and budget are due
two weeks prior to the MEC meeting in which it will be reviewed. Deadlines will be posted on the MEC leader
website (http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/) and sent to you on the MEC leader listserv well in advance of the
meeting. The MEC will not accept late proposals unless the chair is notified in advance with a compelling reason.
Incomplete applications will be returned to you and not reviewed until complete, so please make sure to fill in all
applicable sections.
The application was created in a Microsoft Word protected document. To fill in each section click on the check
box and/or on the grey text box and start typing. The boxes will automatically get larger as you fill in text. If you
find that you need a lot of space to explain a section, please say “see additional attachment” and attach a separate
page.
In addition, the following are helpful during the review process, but need only be submitted after your proposal is
accepted:


50 and 150 word notices for the AMC Outdoors and www.outdoors.org. Please see the current rules http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings/ and schedule for submitting notices for the AMC Outdoors.
Trip prospectus – without the application forms attached – in Microsoft Word or PDF format
Finally, we need to have on file at Joy Street, the following documents:



A completed confidential medical form for the leader and co-leader (after approval is given)
Copies of first aid and CPR certifications for leader and co-leader (before or after approval is given)
A completed application to be a co-leader if the co-leader is new (before proposal is submitted)
We will accept snail mail applications, but electronic forms are preferred. Please save and forward your
electronic document with the following naming convention:


Leader’s last name, trip destination, year of trip and what type of document it is (application, budget,
Outdoors listing or prospectus)
For example, Smith-New Zealand-2007-Application.doc or Smith-New Zealand-2007-Budget.xls
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Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 7
Pack and Paddle Patagonia's Torres del Paine
Andrea Deaton/John Crist
12/27/2008-1/12/2009
Applications should be sent electronically to the MEC Chair, Stacia Zukroff, at mecchair@amcboston.org and to
dturner@outdoors.org. They can be mailed to: Travel Programs Coordinator, 5 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02108. If
you have any questions, please contact Stacia at: 781-648-5503 or mecchair@amcboston.org.
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Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 7
Pack and Paddle Patagonia's Torres del Paine
Andrea Deaton/John Crist
12/27/2008-1/12/2009
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Pack and Paddle Patagonia's Torres del Paine
Leader Andrea Deaton
Co-leader John Crist
Patagonia, Chile
12/27/2008-1/12/2009
Total # of days 17
Hiking
Downhill skiing
Kayaking
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Backpacking
Cultural
Road biking
Nordic ski
Mountain biking
Snorkeling
Other – please describe
Max 10
Min 8
$ 2200
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$ 1100-$1300
Is this proposal for a small group trip – i.e., less than 14 participants and 2
leaders or 7 participants and 1 leader? Yes
No
If yes, why is a small group proposed? This is considered a more technical trip
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain why? It
is proposed for 20% because it is a technical trip
Number of participants
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Andrea Deaton
P.O. Box 2952, Jackson, WY 83001
andrea.deaton@gmail.com
Home 267-738-8048
Work 307-732-8869
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 6/2009
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 5/2009
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, 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.
Yosemite Backpacking, August 11-19, 2007, 8 participants
Crown of Africa: Kilimanjaro Climb and safari, Dec 28, 2006-Jan 13, 2007 (13 part.)
Colorado Mountain High, August 5-11, 2007, 8 participants
Tuscany Biking (2004), Wyoming Backpacking (2005),Belize Multi-Sport (2006),
New Zealand (Dec/Jan 2007-08), Corsica (Aug 2008)
John Crist
321 Greens Loop Cheshire, CT 06410
cristj@aetna.com
Home 203 815 6505
Work 860 636 3797

To lead a major excursion you must have current CPR and WFA at the time of your trip (or AWFA for all backcountry
trips). If you do not have the required level of certification at the time you submit your proposal or it will expire before
the date of your trip, you will need to make arrangements to recertify in a timely manner.
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Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 7
Pack and Paddle Patagonia's Torres del Paine
Andrea Deaton/John Crist
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
12/27/2008-1/12/2009
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 04/2009
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 04/2007
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be a major excursions
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application.
Scouting
Have either of you led this trip
before or traveled to this
area?
Languages
Does either the co-leader or
leader speak the local
language?
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Private trips
Do either of you lead trips that
are private - not sponsored by
the AMC?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
This trip includes a 10 day backpacking circumnavigation of the beautiful and widely
popular Torres del Paine circuit. We will complete the full circuit and add a few days for
enjoying the side valleys to get closer to the towers. We will complete the trip with a 3
day sea kayaking and camping trip down the Rio Serrano through Bernardo O' Higgins
Park. See attached itinerary.
We will be staying in hostels with private rooms and baths; refugios with bunk
accommodations and campsites.
Co-leader: Yes
No
Leader: Yes
No
Not applicable:
Yes
No
If yes, please list who has agreed to be your back-up in case one or
both of you need to drop out. This is required for approval!
Yes
No
If yes, please note that you cannot advertise AMC and private trips
together unless there is a clear distinction between the two in any marketing
materials you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Accommodations
Please describe your plan for
accommodation(s)
Meals
Please describe your plan for
providing meals
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
Pre-trip activities
Do you plan to get your group
Revised 7/15/2016
We will have a few meals in restaurants in Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, the
remainder of the meals will be provided in the refugios, will be backpacking meals
prepared by the group (food purchased in Puerto Natales) and meals provided by the
kayak outfitter during the kayak portion of the trip.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
We will need to pay park fees onsite as well as reserve campsite and refugio
accommodations. Prior to arrival the trip leader will supply the park service with a letter
from the AMC stating that I am not a paid guide and thereby not required to hire a paid
Chilean guide.
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
backpacking equipment and we will rent stoves and purchase fuel; kayaks and kayaking
gear will be provided by the kayak outfitter
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
Trip participants will need to have previous backpacking experience and have had basic
kayaking experience.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
The group will have two different opportunities to meet and get out and backpack with
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 7
Pack and Paddle Patagonia's Torres del Paine
Andrea Deaton/John Crist
together before the trip for an
activity or social event?
Conservation, education and
recreation
How will this major excursion
meet the mission of the AMC?
www.outdoors.org/about/
mission.cfm
12/27/2008-1/12/2009
each other which will also establish the group's familiarization to establish expedition
behavior and set expectations. One trip will be offered in the Spring 2008 and another in
the Summer 2008.
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine is located in far Southern Chile. Before it became a
National Park it had been subject to highly destructive 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 visitor center and on the trail. We will also benefit from
learning from the native Chilean guides who will accompany us on our 3 day kayak
adventure.
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
Will this trip require a tour
operator or guide service
during part, or the entire
trip?
Name of tour operator/guide
service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information
about their safety record.
Insurance
Do they have liability
insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
Yes
No
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
The kayak portion of the trip will require an outfitter.
Blue Green Adventures
www.bluegreenadventures.com
Blue Green Adventures has an excellent safety record. I also sought out a
recommendation from one of their US clients who is a horsepacking outfitter in
Wyoming and uses them for their Patagonian trips and they had nothing but wonderful
things to say about their services and capabilities.
Liability? Yes
No
Maximum amt: $ 2 million pounds
sterling (or $4 million US)
Are they willing to list AMC as an
Yes
No
additional insured?
They will work with park headquarters. They carry two-way radios and first aid gear.
They also have access to Zodiac boats on the water and they are sometimes used for
inclimate weather as well.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks and hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it may affect your trip.
Devise a plan to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary. Please be very specific for each section
if applicable.
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
Western parts of the park experience localized weather patterns and it can be unstable
resulting in high precipitation levels (rain/snow, etc.). Additionally, certain areas can be
extremely windy. Thes sun is very strong in this part of the world due to ozone
depletion. Sea kayaking adds risk in addition to the above, such as possible exposure to
extrememly cold water, shifting ice and changing or rough water conditions.
Response
Both leaders are experienced in leading trips under variable weather conditions, year
round. In addition, gear and planning is critical to deal with such situations. The gear list
will be prepared accordingly, appropriate clothing , sunblock, etc. for backpacking and
kayaking. 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. The water bound portion of the trip is being guided by a tour operator with an
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Pack and Paddle Patagonia's Torres del Paine
Andrea Deaton/John Crist
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Response
Transportation
Potential hazards
Response
Participants
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
12/27/2008-1/12/2009
excellent saftey record. Prevention of hypothermia and exposure will be stressed. PFDs
will be provided by outfitter.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Chile has relatively little crime. The group will need to be mindful of pick-pocketing.
Group will get information and suggestions for carrying money and important
documents. Andrea Deaton speaks enough Spanish to communicate which will help in
getting around.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Flying, public transportation or other drivers.
Emergency evacuation and any medical situations will be part of required insurance in
trip budget. Participants will also be advised to buy their own insurance coverage for
lost baggage or flight delays. 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.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Skill level, health, group dynamics
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. We will be heavily suggesting
all participants attend one of the pre-trips so that we can set expectations and evaluate the
participants' readiness for the trip and make recommendations for any possible further
training they might need to do.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Use as much detail as possible, and list any special
communications equipment you may need to ensure the safety of your participants. DO NOT LEAVE THIS SECTION
BLANK
CONAF: Chilean Park Service
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
All the refugios have radios
documentation, distance from
All the refugios have caretakers
emergency services
Blue Green Adventures contact info: 56 (61) 410-009, Alec Quevedo
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
aid or communication
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
evacuation from the
backcountry location if
applicable?
Medical care
Please describe the medical
care available in the area(s)
where you will be traveling
and list names and telephone
numbers for these facilities.
Satellite Phone, First Aid Kits, two-way radios
Deposits
Airline group sales will require $100 deposit. The outfitter, Blue Green Adventures, will
Horses and helicopters are available in the park for emergency evacuation. Zodiac boats
are available on the Rio Serrano.
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.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
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Pack and Paddle Patagonia's Torres del Paine
Andrea Deaton/John Crist
What deposits will be required
by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund?
Participant deposit
What are the initial deposit
and your schedule of
payments?
Cancellation policy
What will your cancellation
policy be for the participants?
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
number?
12/27/2008-1/12/2009
book all the hostel, transportation, refugios and other ticketed items. Blue Green
requires no initial deposit; however the hostels will require the full amount due 30 days
before check-in. Blue Green Adventures offers 100% refund prior to 45 days before
departure.
Airlines usually require 90 days to cancel a reservation. The hotels and other services
through Blue Green Adventures will require a 30 day notice of any cancellations in order
to receive a full refund.
$800 with application submission; $600 by June 1; $600 by September 1
If a replacement participant is found after a participant cancels, the cancelling partcipant
will be refunded their full amount paid minus $50. If no replacement is found, the
participant will be expected to pay all costs/ fees that would be required to not raise the
cost of the trip for the other participants. Any cancellations prior to early November
should be able to refunded most of their monies paid.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
Club House:
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
mecchair@amcboston.org
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