Summer Hiking in Patagonia
Len Weiss/Phil Mecagni
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form
Last Revision July 2008
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
Applications should be sent electronically to the MEC Chair, Stacia Zukroff, at mecchair@amcboston.org and to
cyout@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.
Revised October 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 9
Summer Hiking in Patagonia
Len Weiss/Phil Mecagni
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Summer Hiking in Patagonia
Leader Len Weiss
Co-leader Phil Mecagni
Patagonia, Chile and Argentina
Januar 19 - February 2, 2011
Total # of days 15
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
Number of participants
(excluding leaders)
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Do you wish to have your trip
listed online before it is
published in The Outdoors?
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
Max 14
Min 13
$ 4,675
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$ In-country airfare of $400 included above; $1,400 additional for international airfare.
Yes
No If yes, please list the approximate month (max is one year in
advance of trip)
ASAP after approval, hopefully January.
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?
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain
why?
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
Len Weiss
46 Hawthorn Road, Brookline, MA 02445
lenweiss@rcn.com
Home 617-277-8403
Work 617-320-7024 C
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 11/2010
CPR
BLS
Expiration: Currently expired
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.
Co-led front-country skiing trip, St. Moritz, 2008
Two prior trips (backcountry skiing - as leader)/backpacking - as co-leader) were
canceled.
Considerable backpacking and wilderness experience. This summer I was in the Wind
River Range and Grand Teton National Park for 5 days, 4 nights each. My longest
trek was nine days across the Sierra Nevadas. The remotest was a bush plane fly-

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.
Revised October 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 9
Summer Hiking in Patagonia
Len Weiss/Phil Mecagni
in/fly-out in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
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?
Phil Mecagni
157 Pond St Hopkinton MA 01748
pmecagni@hotmail.com
Home 508-435-5172
Work
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 2010
CPR
BLS
Expiration:
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.
Bike Prague and Bohemia, Sept 2008, 12 participants
Hiking the Bavarian Alps, June 2008, 10 participant
Bike Tuscany, Sept 2007, 10 participants
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
No, but Len has traveled to Spain, Andora, Mexico, Belize, Venzuela, Ecuador and
Galapagos. Both leaders are becoming well acquainted with the area as a consequence
of the planning process. We have read the information from, and talked with leaders on,
the 2007 and 2008/2009 MEs to the area.
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
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
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)
Day hiking in Chilean and Agentine Andes. Backcountry room and board in rustic
facilities. General sightseeing. See attached preliminary itinerary on pages 8 and 9.
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
Basic hiking clothes and equipment, appropriate for the local weather conditions. No
Revised October 2009
Combination of front country hotels and backcounty facilities. See attached preliminary
itinerary on pages 8 and 9.
All meals once we arrive in Chile and until we depart fom Argentina will be taken at
front contry hotels and restaurants, and at the backcountry facilities. See attached
preliminary itinerary on pages 8 and 9.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
The outfitter will arrange for the required permits.
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 9
Summer Hiking in Patagonia
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
Pre-trip activities
Do you plan to get your group
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
Len Weiss/Phil Mecagni
technical gear is needed.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
The overall trip is considered moderate to challenging. Conservatism suggests that an
intermediate level of fitness, skills and experience will be required. Participants will be
screened to ascertain that they will be able to hike the distances planned, and in the
underlying environment and topography to be experienced.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Not planned at time of application submission, but could be a possibility.
The recreational aspects of the trip will be supplemented by the guides' knowledge of
and experience in the natural and developed histoy of the areas we will visit.
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:
Planning, logistics and assurance of execution of the plan. This trip involves internal
domestic air and land travel, as well as hotel, backcountry accommodation, meal and
activity planning. Language, custom, distance and leader unfamiliarity with the area
present challenges to a successful experience for participants. The outfitters guides are
fluent English speakers and most have worked with them for many years.
BlueGreen Adventures.
www. bluegreenadventures.com
Outfitter's only accidents have related to clients falling off horses, which they consider
normal, given that they get about 150 riders every year. One was due to a broken stirrup
and the other due to somebody being unable to control their horse and consequently
falling off. In both cases, there was no compensation due on their part, and it didn't
involve the insurers - they are claim-free. They have been operating ground
transportation for 13 years without a single accident.
Maximum amt: $ Up to 2,000,000 pounds
Liability? Yes
No
sterling coverage for one event. Covers the
entire 'package' from when they collect a
client to when they drop them off. It is a
condition of booking that each individual
has travel insurance covering accident,
illness and medical repatriation.
Are they willing to list AMC as an
Yes
No
additional insured?
In the event of serious accident or illness, clients are evacuated by either helicopter
(which cannot fly in very high winds) or by vehicle (where possible) or horse.
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
Revised October 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 9
Summer Hiking in Patagonia
if applicable.
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
Response
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Response
Transportation
Potential hazards
Response
Participants
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
Len Weiss/Phil Mecagni
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Trails - Nothing unusual expected. Outfitter will provide for inclusion in prospectus
daily hiking distances and notes on terrain.
Wildlife - Pumas are the only dangerous animal and they tend to stay well clear of
human activity.
Climate - The weather can be notoriously unkind - wet (for not too long), cloudy and
closed in. It can also be extremely windy. Torres del Paine has a milder and drier
microclimate than the surrounding areas because of its unique geological features. The
weather however is famously unpredictable and it is possible to experience four seasons
in a few hours. Average daily temperatures vary but in summer expect 10 to 20 degrees
celsius with the occasional hot day of 25 degrees. Temperatures can drop to zero at night
and high winds are common. more.
Trails - Nothing specific based on expected conditions.
Wildlife - There are no documented accidents involving tourists that the outfitter is
aware of.
Climate - We will make sure everyone prepares both mentally and physically for a
variety of conditions and packs accordingly. Itineraries need to be flexible.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
At the time of submitting this application, there are no specific foreign country risks to
address. The leaders will monitor changes.
N/A
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Ground transportation - Park roads are mostly unpaved and some are dusty and bumpy.
In addition, the distances between sites can be great, and driving times long. The road
between Punta Arenas and Cerro Castillo is just about finished. The road between
Puerto Natales and the Serrano River is now happily open and this reduces the journey
time to that area of the Park considerably.
In-country airlines - to do.
Ground transportation - Outfitter has been operating ground transportation for 13 years
without a single accident. They employ their own fully qualified and certified drivers
and operate their own fleet of 12-passenger Ford Econline vehicles that carry the
appropriate and relevant Chilean insurance and have passed the local vehicle checks
necessary for carrying clients.
In-country airlines - to do.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Nothing unusual expected.
See Special Experience above. Adjustment of itinerary due to safety and/or fitness
issues.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
N/A
N/A
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
BlueGreen Adventures contact information:
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
Alec Quevedo, Lian Hayes or Claudia Herrera.
documentation, distance from
1200 M. Bulnes, Puerto Natales, Chile
emergency services
Tel: + 56 61 410009 (or 061 410009 from within Chile)
Mobile Claudia: 09-9-684-09135 (within Chile or +56 9-9-684-09135 outside Chile)
Mobile Alec: 09-8-790-2388 (within Chile or +56 9-8-790-2388 outside Chile)
Radio frequency (from any hotel/refugio/ranger station in park): 158.800
Revised October 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 9
Summer Hiking in Patagonia
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.
Len Weiss/Phil Mecagni
Email: info@bluegreenadventures.com
See below re Medical Care.
Outfitter's guides will have an extensive first-aid kit. Outfitters guides carry hand radios;
no email or mobile phone signal in Torres de Paine.
See Emergency Response above.
Torres del Paine is about a six-hour drive from the nearest hospital with a trauma care
facility (Punta Arenas). There is a small hospital in Puerto Natales (three hours) with 24hour medical assistance that can deal with minor injuries and illnesses. Names and
numbers to be provided.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Foreign currencies
For int’l trips list each foreign
currency, the current $US
dollar exchange rate and what
contingencies you have if that
rate changes. If a tour
operator or agent is being
used, what currency is the
agent to be paid in?
Deposits
What deposits will be required
by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund?
Participant deposit
What are the initial deposit
and your schedule of
payments?
Cancellation policy
What will your cancellation
policy be for the participants?
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
number?
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Revised October 2009
The tour outfitter has priced the trip, and payment will be made, in US$. The outfitter
says about 50% of the underlying local costs are paid in US$. The US$ prices given by
the operator are firm, with them carrying exchange rate fluctuaion and other pricing
change risk after our deposit commitment. Our exposure is limited to the period between
now and that time. The outfitter did not disclose their currency assumption, but
assuming it is current at about US$ 1: CLP 500, a 10% reduction on 50% of the price
would equate to the 5% contingency assumption in the budget.
Outfitter - Deposit of $500 per person upon booking; balance due eight weeks prior to
the start of trip; no increases quoted price after booking. Outfitter understands AMC
marketing timeframe and application process, and aversion to financial risk. Expect to
reach an arrangement that works for all parties.
Airlines - Standard terms and conditions.
Financial risk will be offset to greatest extent possible through travel insurance coverage.
Deposit is forfeited if cancellation is 56 days or more from trip start; within 28-55 days 50% of trip cost; less than 28 days - 100% of trip cost. Transfer ($50 fee) of booking to
another person allowed, not less than two weeks prior to commencement.
$1,000 with application; $1,875 and $1,800 on July 1 and October 1, 2011, respectively.
Assures all participants are paid-up before money is due to outfitter for deposits and
remainder.
Refunds will be given to the extent that it will not raise the cost to the other participants.
If the person's spot can be filled, that person may be entitled to a full refund.
Yes
No
Possibly.
If yes, please describe conditions:
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 6 of 9
Summer Hiking in Patagonia
Deadlines:
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
Revised October 2009
Len Weiss/Phil Mecagni
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings
cyout@outdoors.org
mecchair@amcboston.org
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 7 of 9
Summer Hiking in Patagonia
Len Weiss/Phil Mecagni
Summer Hiking in Patagonia
Summary Itinerary
Day
Travel
Activity
Accommodations
Meals
1
Fly from US overnight
None
None
None
2
Arrive Santiago, Chile.
Connecting flight to Punta
Arenas (Sandy Point), Chile.
Private ground transfer (241km)
to Puerto Natales, Chile.
Dinner and trip briefing
Hotel Temauken
(www.temauken.cl)
D
3
Private ground transfer to Torres
(Towers) del Paine N.P., Chile
(approx. 1.5 hours, 112 km).
Arrive at Grey Lake and board
the Grey II launch towards the
Grey Glacier.
Walk up to the Grey Glacier Pehoe campsite
B, L, D
lookout; picnic lunch; hike to (fully-supported with
Pehoe Lake
hot showers, food
and drink)
4
None
Hike into French Valley, and
along the shores of Lake
Nordenskjold ; views of the
Horns
Cuernos (Horns)
campsite (fullysupported with hot
showers, food and
drink)
5
None
Hike through foothills of
Paine Massif along the
shores of Lake Nordenskjold
towards the Towers.
Campsite near Las
B, L, D
Torres campsite
(fully-supported with
hot showers, food
and drink)
6
After hiking, private ground
transfer (approx. 45 min) to
Estancia Tercera
Classic and challenging hike
to base of the Towers; return
to hosteria for a celebration
drink; then to Estancia
Tercera for fireside drinks
and hot showers/baths while
dinner is prepared.
Homestay at
Estancia (sheep
farm) Tercera
B, L, D
7
Private ground transfer to el
Calafate, Argentina (305k).
Stop en route at the Perito
Moreno Glacier - walk the
trails and admire the
views. Dinner in one of the
town's many fine steak
restaurants.
Hotel Kapenke
(www.kapenke.com.
ar)
B, L, D
Revised October 2009
B, L, D
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 8 of 9
Summer Hiking in Patagonia
Len Weiss/Phil Mecagni
8
Private ground transfer to el
Chalten (Mountain That
Smokes), gateway for the Los
Glaciares National Park
Explore el Calafate, and
enjoy scenic viewing during
transfer.
9
None
Choose from a number of
magnificent, guided hikes.
10
None
Choose from a number of
magnificent, guided hikes.
11
Private ground transfer to el
Calafate; then flight to Buenos
Aires and private ground transfer
to hotel
Evening exploration and
dinner.
Hotel Abasto Plaza
(www.abastoplaza.c
om.ar)
B, L, D
12
None
City tour taking in some of
the city's most famous
monuments and museums.
Hotel Abasto Plaza
B, L, D
13
None
Day trip to the famous Tigre
delta to admire the homes of
Argentina's elite and walk
the tree lined streets. Lunch
in riverside restaurant; last
night's dinner and tango
show.
Hotel Abasto Plaza
B, L, D
14
Private ground transfer to airport
for flights to US
None
B
15
Arrive US
None
Revised October 2009
Hosteria Infinito Sur
(www.infinitosurelc
halten.com) – base
for hiking the
FitzRoy range
B, L, D
B, L, D
B, L, D
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 9 of 9