Ushuaia, a trekking project in Argentina

Guillermo Javier Puliani (33) I was born in Buenos Aires, I am a tireless traveler.

I have traveled to 35 countries. Lover of adventures, of extraordinary journeys. My idea has always been to explore the lesser-known side of places, to explore and enjoy them to give them the value they deserve. In the midst of these countless journeys, I decided to stay and live in Ushuaia for a few years to discover what lies beyond the traditional, to know and explore the corners of Tierra del Fuego that few dare to discover and show. I spent almost 4 years living, feeling, and walking through the most hidden corners, through its forests, valleys, mountain lakes, and dreamy summits. A dream. A longing. To make known these wonders of Tierra del Fuego.

WEBSITE: www.trekkingenushuaia.blogspot.com.ar

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

"Walking Tierra del Fuego" is a completely personal project dedicated to the dissemination of the different most inhospitable corners of Ushuaia and its surroundings. Through photographs and short stories, the main idea of this work is to show Argentinians and the world the wonderful charm of this region of Patagonia, so that everyone learns to value, respect, and take care of the place where we live. I share with you a myriad of adventures in the most adverse climates, both in winter and summer.

How did the idea for this project come about? The work of "Walking Tierra del Fuego" arises from the idea of wanting to give back to Ushuaia a bit of the many good moments experienced in its purest nature. When I started thinking about pouring into this project all the moments lived, I also imagined trying to create awareness among the Fueguinos, travelers, and tourism in general. Because Tierra del Fuego has an enormous landscape wealth and it is worth taking care of it together.

Photo: www.trekkingenushuaia.blogspot.com.ar (Guillermo Javier Puliani)

To spread through photographic content and personal experiences what was experienced in the southernmost place in Argentina. Also, the idea is to break a bit the "mold" where only the most "touristy" aspects of places are shown so that everyone can pursue their dreams of exploring Patagonia thoroughly, thus avoiding the overcrowding of places and mass tourism that affects nature in all its aspects. By promoting these places, awareness is also created of the high value at a landscape and natural level that leads each of us to respect and care for the environment of the place where we live, which we often do not consider in our daily lives. I am a dreamer and a traveler who respects every place I step on, so the deepest goal of this work is for at least the population of that region to become aware through photographic content, some anecdotes of my adventures, or with the words of some interviews I have conducted with people who have lived or live in Ushuaia or Rio Grande, which I present here so that we all collaborate in committing to caring for everything that surrounds this island at the ends of the earth.

Why does this project not only focus on disseminating photographic content but also emphasizes environmental care? Because my great dream is to see an Ushuaia where each of the inhabitants respects the place where they live. Not to litter the city or, even less, the forests. I am convinced that each one, from their place with small contributions, can do a lot to improve life in this aspect. It is not about looking from the outside, but about committing to changing our attitude. So I believe that this material should reach as many people as possible so that from this humble space, a greater awareness of the uniqueness of Tierra del Fuego can be achieved. That it has practically unexplored landscapes or untouched by man. That every corner is immensely valuable. And that, knowing it, I would dare to say that everyone can take that step forward to care for it. Another of the great objectives will be to return to Tierra del Fuego, to continue discovering every corner that I still have to explore, but I want to do it with the appropriate mountain equipment that facilitates the journeys. As you know, such articles are highly expensive, so any help through a sponsor or financial assistance is highly appreciated to fulfill this dream.

Photo: www.trekkingenushuaia.blogspot.com.ar (Guillermo Javier Puliani)

The dissemination is grassroots. This project does not cover my travels to the corners of the world, nor travels within Argentina. Therefore, it is aimed solely at an audience interested in mountain trekking or eager to get to know Ushuaia and/or Tierra del Fuego. Therefore, any contribution, no matter how small, to the dissemination of it is immensely appreciated. I have been promoting it through various means such as the Internet, adventure or travel magazines or blogs, being available to carry out interviews, write articles, and/or disseminate photographs of these "unknown" places. I am also personally presenting this project in different parts of Argentina where I travel, as well as abroad, mentioning among others: Chile, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Honduras, Guatemala. The idea is to continue doing it in other countries and many more towns and cities in Argentina. The personal contact with people in the various places I visit is the greatest gift of all this work, as the common denominator of people is surprised by the idea, likes it, and collaborates with their bit to promote my work.

Can you summarize for us what Ushuaia represents for you, your perspective, your experiences?

I felt when I arrived in Ushuaia, as when I arrive at every place I visit, that it was necessary to live it, feel it, experience it, with a different perspective, discovering with my eyes and feet every corner of the beautiful Tierra del Fuego. And so, as the days went by, I began to venture into each of the endless valleys, observing and understanding its forests, appreciating at all times the gift that nature has to offer us in that region of our country and the world. From the port, the central area of the city where most tourists crowded the souvenir shops to take a postcard, a souvenir, I looked at each of those mountain peaks around and felt the desire to be on each of them to have a different view, to contemplate those eternal snows from the heights of their summits, challenging my own limits to discover what lies beyond the classic, the traditional. For me, the true meaning of life lies in the experience one gains in each place and at each moment when daring to discover new things and relate them to the natural environment, thus connecting with simple things, with simple things that are increasingly overlooked in many cases. Looking at the map and dreaming of crossing new paths was part of my days, so I started walking through the forests, discovering mountain lakes, feeling the solitude, and enjoying every moment of those places where few dared to step, to discover. My energies were fully dedicated when I put on my trekking boots and set out in search of experiences that fill my soul, that give me those moments of happiness that are never forgotten... In this way, I had unforgettable moments. Having mate alone and in the company of good friends on peaks of 1,200, 1,300 meters, is something that cannot be explained. That is where one gives more value every day to those simple things that actually have nothing to do with material things, those things that they try to instill in us in our daily lives. Listening, seeing, living, and feeling nature in its natural state is what I take with me from each place. Respecting and transmitting care for the environment and leading each person who has not yet dared to discover these corners to do so, to try it, because it is really worth it...

Photo: www.trekkingenushuaia.blogspot.com.ar (Guillermo Javier Puliani)

When we think of the moments that leave an indelible mark on our hearts, minds, and thoughts, I have no doubt that they are those simple moments of life, which we have shared with people very close to us but also with people we perhaps saw only for a few hours, a few days. After returning to the roads in 2013 to cross my country towards the neighboring country of Chile, I was able to realize again how important moments like the ones I experienced traveling kilometers along the roads of Tierra del Fuego in the neighboring country are. When you hear an Argentine or a Chilean disparage, insult, belittle, and even speak nonsense about one country or the other, about one from there or one from here, that's when you realize how beautiful and necessary it can be to allow yourself and give yourself a trip into the interior of other people, other lands, other customs, to be able to reach by our own means to engage in that type of conversations, in those kinds of moments that, as I mentioned above, are the ones you never forget and that make you grow more and more. I have learned throughout all the years I have traveled that asking for help, knocking on a door, can open up a new world still unknown up to that moment and that there will always be in that corner of the planet, which we may have been unaware of, someone willing to enjoy a good chat, to have a good mate or coffee, and learn from that person who did not have the best idea to open up to a new experience, to give themselves and give us a pleasant moment with the human warmth of a house with experiences and stories to share with whoever is willing to venture into the unknown... Let us not allow unnecessary barriers or hatred in the world, let us go out to the roads, to the towns, and to the least imagined corners to give the best of ourselves, to share our days, to give smiles, because on the other side there will always be people willing to make our steps in the world an experience that we will never forget...

OF THOSE UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES.

Can you tell us about an experience that has marked you in your time in Ushuaia?

I want to keep the last great image I have of when I reached the summit of Cerro 5 Hermanos, a mountain that represents an icon of the city along with Monte Olivia. That mountain that we climbed in the company of great friends, I remember that moment as if it were today. We started the hike amid conversations, laughter, and enjoying in a special way every inch of land we stepped on, first we reached the lagoon and then we approached its central summit. Some decided to stay and enjoy from there, but I knew that this could be the last hike of a great stage of almost 4 years living in Ushuaia, so I undertook that final ascent to the summit, where my eyes felt tears fall down my face due to the immense joy of reaching there, knowing that it was the end of a stage of a beautiful experience lived in Tierra del Fuego, I sat down and contemplated the magic of nature with the full conviction that someday I will return to continue feeling those sensations that only those who lived them can understand. I hope you enjoy this project that I am carrying out with a lot of effort and dedication, which is to share with all of you some of the corners I walked in Tierra del Fuego and to convey from this space the care for what surrounds us, respecting it and loving it more every day!!!!

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