Nothing can derail a perfectly good hike as fast as a niggling little blister, especially when it multiplies in size until it’s the only thing you can think of step after miserable step. We’ve all had them. But what’s a walker to do? Is there away to avoid these annoyances?

Solution ! YES please :

Double-check the hiking boot fit.If you’re a beginning backpacker and you’re not used to the feel of hiking boots, wear them at home for a couple of days for several hours to be sure they are comfortable.

Break in your boots.This is usually as much of an issue of toughening your feet as softening your boots. Any way you look at it, your feet and boots are going to have to reach a compromise, and better they work out their differences near home than on the trail.

Wear wicking socks—polypropylene or nylon are fine—under a pair of wool or wool-and-nylon blend outer socks. The wicking socks are less abrasive, plus they move moisture away from your feet. Never wear cotton socks—cotton absorbs moisture and practically guarantees blisters.

Go easy on the mileageand keep your pack weight as low as possible.

The absolutely number one most important rule of blister prevention:The second you feel the slightest hint of something rubbing in your shoe, STOP! Ignore your hiking partner’s pleas to just keep going. Find the pebble, grass-seed, clump of dirt, grain of sand, or wrinkle in the sock. If it’s a tight boot that’s causing trouble, rub the inside of your boot with the blunt, rounded end of a Swiss army knife to try to stretch the leather or fabric.

If you know you’ve got a vulnerable trouble spot, like the back of your heel, put a piece of patches anti-Blisters on it before you start walking.

Treat a hot spot with patches anti-Blisters on the trail.If a blister has already started forming (it can happen in mere seconds), use a dressing  to treat burns—and after all, blisters are nothing more than friction burns.Whether you’re putting patches anti-Blisters over a hot spot or adhesive tape over a  dressing, remember that tape adheres better to dry skin than wet skin—so use a bandanna to dry your sweaty feet first.

Trip Overview

Buenos Aires – BA is an unforgettable city that fuses together an over abundance of opposite to create a meeting point for the old and new. What you are left with is a mosaic of style which slot together to create a very unique rhythm, not to be found anywhere else in the world…

El Calafate - Is an important tourist destination as the hub to visit different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park, including the Perito Moreno Glacier (one of the most visited in the world).

El Chalten – Glacier National Park (UNESCO world heritage site) – El Chalten is a very small town located on the southern end of Glacier National Park. It takes approximately three hours to get there by bus from El Calafate. It is El Chalten that avid hikers and nature-lovers come to year after year to truly experience the beauty of Patagonia. Glacier National Park in Southern Argentina is a fantastic spot to experience snow-capped mountains, magnificent glaciers, and sparkling glacial rivers and lakes.

Torres del Paine – Torres del Paine National Park – This is one of the World’s classic trekking routes and it takes in the most scenic portions of Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park. The ultimate Patagonia experience, this trek has spectacular granite buttresses rising from massive glaciers–all at elevations not much above sea level. Breathtaking views together with glaciers, rivers, lakes, forests and abundant wildlife provides the trip with constantly changing scenarios and experiences.

DAY 1 WED 11 –  Transfer from BA international airport to the PALERMO  area where you overnight  at the Eco Pampa .
For the Patagons who arrive earlier than the trip commences ,we booked already your stay at Eco Pampa  . Please let us know if you made another arrangements. http://www.hostelpampa.com.ar/menu.html

After a refreshing break we can go ( optional ) for a  delicious  dinner at Las Cabras ; the secret is simple – serving tasty, filling food and decent wine at affordable prices. Sit outside on the terrace and try the mixed grill.http://www.stay.com/buenos-aires/restaurant/789/las-cabras/

DAY 2 THU 12 – Group meeting after breakfast and leisure walk around BA green belt ! for a state of mental relaxation with the constant screeching of traffic just outside.
Starting at  park Italia – jardin botanico – zoologico – park 3 fevereiro – jardim japones – rosendal – jardim dos poetas – museo art plastic – monumento dos espanhois.
Enjoy a light lunch and transfer to  Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (domestic airport) departing 15:00  to El Calafate. arriving 18:20 . Transfer to our accommodation Balcone de Los Andes www.balconesdelosandes.com.ar
Explore the town and source food for a mouth watering dinner together and here we’ll source our food/gear for the trails in El Chalten !

DAY 3 FRI 13 –   Delicious breakfast  at local coffee shop  follow by a  transfer from El Calafate to El Chalten area where you overnight  in Cerro Torres Cabanas www.cerrotorre.com.ar
Explore El chalten , some fascinating insights and enjoy dinner together , check food/gear  for our first hiking trails

DAY 4 SAT 14 – Breakfast together  and start our first hiking  to Lago Capri , explore the surrounds  lookout Lago piedras blancas for hiker keen on extra walk !

DAY 5 SUN 15 – Hike to Campament poincenot , if bad weather we have the option to hike until  Laguna piedra blancas or if the weather is OK try the sunset view at  Lago de los tres.

DAY 6 MON 16 – Hike to Fitzroy have breakfast at the TOP  than hike to campamento de Agostini , sunset at Laguna Torre

DAY 7 TUE 17 – Breakfast at Laguna Torre , hike to Glaciar Torres and lunch at the TOP , hike back and dinner at our camping site

DAY 8 WED 18 – Hike back to El Chalten ! dinner together at restaurant Estepa !!!

DAY9THU 19 –  Transfer from El chalten to the El Calafate  area where you overnight  at Balcone de Los Andes www.balconesdelosandes.com.ar , dinner together !

DAY 10 FRI 20 – Travel to Puerto Natales ,  go to accommodation  Amerindia http://www.hostelamerindia.com/  buy food/gear for Torres Del Paine trails , check gear and dinner together !

DAY 11 SAT 21 – Breakfast follow by a  transfer to Torres del Paine Sede Administrativa , hike to Camp Las Carreras ( 3-4 hours ). Camp in the Wild !

Day 12 SUN 22 – Trek from Las Carreras to Paine Grande Camping site.

DAY 13 MON 23 – Trek to Campamento Grey , hiker bring along (2 breakfast , 2 lunch and 1 dinner) the group leave behind most of our gear/food , 6-7 hour hike , overnight in the Grey lodge sunset at  lookout close to the lodge.

DAY 14 TUE 24 – Wake up early and hike to lookout above campamento Los Guardas 2-3 hours hike , back to Grey lodge collect gear and hike back to Paine Grande .

DAY 15 WED 25 – Hike from Paine to Campamento Italiano ( wild camping ).

DAY 16 THU 26 – Hike  to Campamento Britanico , sunset/sunrise at Valle do Frances !!

DAY 17 FRI 27 – Sunrise at lookout with breakfast , hike all the way to Campamento Los Cuernos , long day 8 hours hike .

DAY 18 SAT 28 – WAKE UP EARLY !!! long day 8-10 hour trek to Campamento Torres , Camp in Las Torres , sunset at las Torres (optional) !!!

DAY 19 SUN 29 – SUNRISE at las Torres with breakfast , hike to Campamento Japones 3-4 hours hike and  camp in the wild , sunset at lookout Valle del Silencio !!!

DAY 20 MON 30 – Start early !!!  Hike back to Hostelaria Las Torres  be there by 5 pm , and transfer to Puerto Natales to  Amerindia ! DINNER TOGETHER  AT LA PICADA DEL CARLITO !!!

DAY 21 TUE 1 – Transfer back to El Calafate for some of the group members  or bus to Punta  Arenas for others heading South to Ushuai.

DAY 22 WED 2 – Breakfast at local coffee shop , transfer to the airport and fly  to BA domestic airport follow by  transfer  to BA international airport than fly back  home . TRIP END !

PS : Go out for dinner and breakfast  are optional !

Background notes

Travel insurance:
Your travel agent can advise you comprehensive travel insurance for the whole period of the trip, from the date you leave home to the date you return.

Clothing requirements:
A comprehensive hiking gear list is available at our site.Basic requirements are your usual, comfortable hiking boots and clothes, and a very warm – preferably down – jacket to wear at night. A very warm down sleeping bag and a light, comfortable sleeping mattress are also essential. kelson’s personal gear list http://www.treksa.com/torres-del-paine-trekking-gear/

Weather in Patagonia :
In general the climate in PATAGONIA can be summarized in one word: “unpredictable”.

Visas:
South African passport holders don’t need visas to travel to Argentina,Chile,Uruguay and Brazil.If you come from other part of the world , please check out with your travel agent.

Vaccinations:
There are several vaccinations that are necessary for travellers to developing countries. If you have been in a developing country in the last 10 years, you may have already have had the required vaccinations. Please ask your GP or your local travel health clinic. The vaccinations are typically required 6-8 weeks before departure.

Staying healthy:
The group will have a basic first aid kit and your travel health clinic will recommend a traveller’s medical kit containing medicine to combat stomach bugs and instructions on how to take them. We ask each walker to bring their own traveller’s medical kit containing these medications with them on the walk.

Food & Water:
Please bring a water bottle of at least 1 litres. If you have a particular snack or sweet you don’t like to walk without, please feel free to bring it.We can buy all the trail food in ARG/Chile ( from our group kitty ) , but off course if YOU like to have any specific food from home ( like rooibos tea ) bring along ….Breakfast start with tea and Coffee and “Kalzoni wake up punch TM” ( 200gr per person /day ): oats , dates , coconut flakes ,nut/seeds , raisins , dried fruits and cinnamon. all blended and packed in zip lock plastic bags ,than just add warm water and Voila , YUMMY , powerful morning breakfast !!! Lunch/snack : Anyone choice , and I’ll make pot of tea and coffee to go together !!! ….Dinners ( 200gr per person/day ): Coscus/polenta , Basmatic Rice/Quinoa ,Pasta , garlic , dried vegs ,olive oil , salt and dried spices

PS : YOU can add your own personal taste for dinner like ; Tuna , dried meat , cheese …. dessert ; chocolate , whisky , etc ….

We’ll be cooking together so we can optimise the weight of gear and work . Kalzoni know how to do a yummy banquet together.

Accommodation:
Good quality budget , where is possible we’ll support eco friendly accommodation and camping sites.

Money:
If you have a card with a Visa/Master logo on it, you can access your account from many ATMs in South America, so you’ll be able to get some of the local currency easily. It’s also a good idea to bring some US dollars which you can exchange. Travellers’ Cheques aren’t widely accepted.

Language:
Your hiking guides speak fluent Spanish and Portuguese, and are available to interpret for you if you wish to have conversations with anyone.

Luggage & Daypack:
Travel light , we’ll be able to store gear/clothes in El Chalten and Puerto Natales.
We advise you to lock your rooms when you are not there – just to be safe.

Security and Safety:
The exploratory trail itinerary may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
To be safe we advise you to take basic security precautions – lock your room when you are not in it and put valuables away where they can’t be seen, don’t walk alone, especially not in areas you don’t know.
As per good sense – one of the guide will carry a basic first aid kit. In case of mishap the guide may request the assistance of one or more persons in the group, especially a doctor or medic.The trail is relatively easily accessible , injured folk may need to be carried a short distance. There is NO cell phone reception along trail so two people will go to the nearest reception point to call for help the others will remain with the injured party unless otherwise directed by the guide. If the guide is injured, he/she may delegate a person in the group to help manage the situation or in a case where the guide cannot talk, the group should elect a person to manage the situation.

Patagonia PUMA – if you encounter a puma the best is to stand still until it moves off.

Ethical travel is about more authentic holiday experiences that enable you to get a little bit more out of your travels, and give a little bit more back to destinations and local people.
All holidays have positive and negative impacts locally.Ethical travel maximise the benefits, and minimises the negative effects of tourism.

“…care of the land, care of the wildlife, care of the people…”
Dave Varty , The Full Circle – To Londolozi & Back Again , 2008

Tips for ethical travel

Before you book your holiday:
Plan your route to minimise carbon emissions – travel by train and public transport where possible, and minimise internal flights.
Minimise flying time and stopovers – the worst carbon emissions are emitted during take off and landing.
For the flights that you cannot avoid, trekSA will offset the carbon emissions of your flight .
That way the money is invested in carbon reducing initiatives in South America and/or South Africa.

Before you travel:
Read up on local cultures and learn a few words of the local language – travelling with respect earns you respect.
Remove all excess packaging – waste disposal is difficult in remote places and developing countries.
Ask trekSA for specific tips for responsible travel in your destination.
Ask trekSA if there are useful gifts that you could pack for your hosts, local people or schools.
Ask trekSA whether there are local conservation or social projects that you could visit on your trip, and if/how you could help support them.

While on holiday:
Buy local produce in preference to imported goods.
Hire a local guide – you’ll discover more about local culture and lives, and they will earn an income.
Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artefacts.
Respect local cultures, traditions and holy places – if in doubt ask advice or don’t visit.
Use public transport, hire a bike or walk when convenient – it’s a great way to meet local people on their terms and reduce pollution and carbon emissions.
Use water sparingly – it’s very precious in many countries and tourists tend to use far more than local people.
Remember that local people have different ways of thinking and concepts of time, this just makes them different not wrong.
Cultivate the habit of asking questions (rather than the Western habit of knowing the answers).

When you get back:
Write to trekSA (try our journal) or accommodation providers with any comments or feedback about your holiday.
And especially include any suggestions on reducing environmental impacts and increasing benefits to local communities.
If you’ve promised to send pictures or gifts to local people remember to do so, many are promised and not all arrive!
Enjoy the memories, reflect on your experience and start planning your next trip.

We kindly ask all our service providers to help us and our guests to follow these guideline

Image by trekSA

The following is a list out lining the kind of hiking gear I’ll bring with me on Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine National Park hiking trail ( 21 days trip ). This list is not meant to be prescriptive. Please feel free to discuss hiking gear with us if you have any questions.

- backpack , DEUTER 65+10

- 3 waterproof bag SEA TO SUMMIT , 2L  , 13L  and 35L

- day pack SEA TO SUMMIT

- 1 sleeping bag NORTH FACE ( goose down feathers , -10 C )

- 1 sleeping bag  FIRST ASCENT ( goose down , 0 C ) , linner

- 1 camp mattress PACIFIC OUTDOOR - blow-up mattress

- trekking boots LA ESPORTIVA KARAKOM

- 2 pairs of trekking socks

- 2 head torch PETZEL TIKKINA and PETZEL eLITE ( emergency )

- 2 tops , thermal (wool + polypropylene)

- 2 bottom , thermal

- 1 fleece

- 1 Bennie and 1 balaclava

- 1 hat

- 1 pair of glove BLACK DIAMOND

- 1 goose down jacket NORTH FACE

- 1 waterproof jacket NORTH FACE Goretex

- 1 waterproof pants CAPE STORM Goretex

- 1 quick-dry trekking pants CAPE STORM

- 1 shirt

- 1 sandal CROCKS

- sun glasses

- trekking poles BLACK DIAMOND

- 1 durable water bottle 1L NALGENE

- 1 water bladder of 1.5L CAMELBAK

- 1 lightweight trek towel SEA TO SUMMIT

- 1 personal toiletries ( small tooth-brush , small amount of tooth-paste )

- 1 SEA TO SUMMIT iPOOD ( dig holes ).

- 1 camera NIKON COOLPIX

- 1 lightweight personal medical kit

- 1 lightweight cooking pots MSR TITAN set

- 1 Titanium Spork

- 1 lightweight Small cup

- 1 set of NALGENE small plastic bottles

- 1 lightweight stove MSR POCKET ROCKET

- 1 lightweight tent BIG AGNES SEEDHOUSE SL 1

- 1 tent footprint

- 1 space blanket

- 3 Harnesses and 3 Carabiners ( group safety )

- 1 LEATHERMAN

- 1 SWISS KNIFE

- 1 SAS SURVIVAL GUIDE book

- 1 GARMIN GPS geko

- 1 Map of Los Glaciares and 1 Map of Torres del Paine

- 1 iPOD ( iTOUCH 32 GB )

- 1 Small kit repair

- 1 Money Belt

The aim of the Harvester’s Lunch is to celebrate our natural bounty by eating it…….in a special way. It also celebrates all the folk in this unique little borough who buy into that old adage “local is lekker”. All the food we eat is harvested locally, grown or caught and prepared in or as close to our own kitchens as possible. The Harvesters Lunch highlights the importance of protecting the incredible ecosystems that support our plants and awesome beasties as well as encouraging and supporting those age old skills of harvesting, food preparation and cooking.

The hunter and gatherers  prize ( kalzoni) of this year went to Guilio for his awesome whole wheat flat bread , the wheat was harvest and turn into flour by himself  , amazing commitment to the spirit of gathering !

Fantastic way to start 2012 !

The quality of soccer was very impressive , nice to see  Scarborites of different age group getting together and having a lot  FUN !

Thanks  the organize team for another awesome day in the beach !

Looking forward to next year !!!!

Twenty tourists had to be evacuated from the Torres del Paine national park in Chilean Patagonia following the outbreak of a forest fire that has extended to over twenty hectares because of strong winds and difficult access for fire-fighters, reports the local press.

The tourists were camping in a refuge just two kilometres away from the fire which was first reported last Tuesday, next to the Grey Lake along a 60 degrees slope which makes the task of 80 fire-fighters extremely perilous according to a release from the Chilean National Forestry Corporation, Conaf.

The fire was located next to a tourist path and although the cause has not yet been clearly established it is believed a campers’ bomb-fire not properly extinguished and with the help of strong winds had much to do with the incident.
Given the slope many of the fire-fighters and CONAF members have had to approach the burning slope from the lake in Zodiacs but the winds are proving a formidable enemy.

The regional Emergency Office from the province of Ultima Esperanza where the park is located has declared a “red alert” and described the situation as “very complicated, almost critical”
Support has been requested from the Chilean Army and the nearby mining town of Rio Turbio in Argentina.
Jonathan Donaide from the Emergency Office said that winds blowing at over 80 kilometres per hour are making the task of fighting the fire “extremely difficult”.

Torres del Paine Park with over 242.242 hectares is one of the most visited in Chilean Patagonia.
In February 2005, a fire by a careless Czech tourist wiped 13.880 hectares of native flora, causing a major catastrophe.
A camping gas store not properly used by Jiri Smitak sparked the fire. He was arrested and sentenced but apologized and begged for pardon. He was finally set free but the Czech government later financed the reforestation of the destroyed area.

The smoke from the forest fire can be seen from the park’s administration’s office 35 kilometres away.
Vicente Nuñez head of Chile’s Ministry of Interior Emergency Office said tht the regional civil protection system has been activated on the field with all the operational coordination needed to confront the emergency”.
A Twin Otter is over-flying the area to assess the situation and keep track of the fire.
Nuñez said four forestry brigades, two from Torres del Paine, one from Punta Arenas and another from Puerto Natales are involved in the operation.

Following huge success of the Beach Football Challenge last year ! We are delight to announce the 2nd Scarborough Football Beach Challenge :

- Where : Scarborough Beach, Sunday 01 JAN 2012, kick off at 4 pm. Weather permitting  !

- NO entry fee ( MAHALA ).

-If you like to be a helpers or donate a price for the winner team : please contact Elena at 0825845830 or caprichokids@gmail.com

-Early registration contact : Kelson at 0217801130 or caprichokids@gmail.com

While the soccer goes on let’s have a family get-together and picnic. Dogs, children and parents are welcome – but please keep under supervision so they don’t disrupt the competition.Bring your own picnic basket, water and chairs and shade if needed – umbrellas if not too windy

See you all  ,  Events like these do wonders to boost community spirit!

The Rules ; 3 a side Football

1. Pitch will be approx 20-25 metres long and 8-10metres wide. The goal will be approx 2.5 metres wide and be about knee high.
2. Players over 10 years old  ( otherwise only with parental consent and organise team ).
3. Kick off at the halfway line and the same for every subsequent  K.O
4. i.e. after a goal.
5. If the ball goes out of play the game is restarted at the touch line by foot (no throw ins).
6. Deliberate use of any part of the arm from the elbow down will result in a penalty, as will any serious foul (trips, obstruction etc as per the rules of the game).
7. Penalties will be taken with an open goal from the penalty spot,…….to be determined.
8. It is hoped all the games will be played in a sportsman like manner, no abuse of the referee’s decisions will be tolerated and very serious fouls could result in a player being sent to the sin bin for a period of 2 mins.

We’ll supply:

• a Bedouin tent for shade (and maybe to hide from the south-easter).
• a small field for children to play.

]]> http://www.treksa.com/start-2012-with-a-goal/feed/ 0 http://www.treksa.com/worm-farms-reduce-co2-emissions/ http://www.treksa.com/worm-farms-reduce-co2-emissions/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:14:45 +0000 trekSA http://www.treksa.com/?p=2160

“it may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world as these lowly, organised creatures.” Charles Darwin.

trekSA set up 6 new worm farm with funds donated by our clients , this kind of initiative can go a long way to offset the carbon emissions of our flight.

Average flight Carbon Emissions of our last trip   = 2500 kg CO2.

Average Carbon Emissions reduced : by 6 Householder Worm Farm per year = 6000 kg CO2.

For every tonne of raw food waste that ends up in landfills, one tonne of emissions are released, however when composted through the use of earthworms, that number is reduced by 83% to only 0.17 of a tonne of gas emitted.

Householders can do their bit for the Global Warming problem by having a worm farm and thereby converting much of their household waste in to high quality garden soil (vermicompost) rather than have it go to landfill where it generates harmful Greenhouse gases

Vermicomposting is the process of using earthworms to breakdown organic waste material to create a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser and acts as a cheap, local alternative to the five million tonnes of fertiliser used pe annum, 66% or which is imported from overseas.

Thanks to ALL for the epic day in the beach  , a lot of FUN and the weather was perfect , light SE and small swell ; diver and nets fisherman had equal chance on the challenge. all competitors  IN the water by 9:30 and OUT by 10:30.

And THE SCARBOROUGH BEST CRAYFISH CATCHER for 2011 are :

Earl Valentine – ( using nets ) for  biggest crayfish caught , 690 grams  !

Mick – ( Diver ) 4 crayfish caught , Total weight of 2.3 Kilos.

Special thanks for the organising team :

Andre Greyling

Our judge panel ( Elena,Claire,Cindy and Xandra )

Richard and Cindy for sponsoring the awesome  prices ( 2 bottle of Scottish whisky )

Weavers for the Bedouin Tent on the beach  , shade and protection against the wind !

And Looking forward to the NEXT year challenge !!!

Situated on the mighty Zambezi River at the Victoria Falls, one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the historic town of Livingstone is a traveller’s fairytale destination.