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Report from Tuesday 24th August

Short but tight, that was the way our trip to Santa Teresa went with my touring buddy Gabriel Lobos. Farellones continue to host good snow on the southern slopes and the occasional snowfall keeps visiting the Central Andes.

Chile remains in quarantine and with a curfew throughout the country, however, the Andes are always available for a bit of backcountry. Shot towards Farellones, before the snowfall, we decided to try our luck and go for a bit of Santa Tere.

We had scheduled a visit to Santa Teresa, not long ago, especially after the failed mission in La Falsa Parva. The agenda was tight and it got even more as the days went by, the desire to ride was intense but time was scarce.

Santa Teresa, Santa Tere, Farellones, Curves — *Going up the curves of Farellones, Santiago, Chile.* Credit: Snowbrains

Without further ado, we managed to program. On Tuesday the 24th, with the sun still between their mountains, we began our trip to the mythical Farellones garden where the guard of the three valleys rests.

Good trips require good companies, and that what we had! On the trip, we had the opportunity to be accompanied by a Chilean production team with different collaborators who have associated themselves for the same cause, the love to the mountains.

Santa Tere, Santa Teresa — *From the window overlooking Santa Tere. Farellones, Chile.* Credit: Snowbrains

After 44 switchbacks, we reached our first stop, the base of Santa Teresa. The idea was to show the exit of Santa Teresa for the management-recording of the descent. At the same time, check any point that may be exposed to avalanche hazards, uneven terrain, or road exposure.

Second stop, time for the walk. The next stop was to drop us off at the El Colorado Ski Resort due to the access that it has to enter Santa Teresa. From there we started walking and the production team drove to their spot at Curve 44 on the way to Valle Nevado.

*North bottom of El Colorado, Colorado Chico, Farellones, Chile.* Credit: Snowbrains

El Colorado has its doors open for its athletes and pass holders, however, the public skier of the week is almost nil. This is why we were able to sneak through its tracks and cross the eastern cone reaching the base of Cornisa or the summit of Santa Tere.

El Colorado, Farellones, Chile, Slopes, East Face — *Middle East Face of El Colorado, Farellones, Chile.* Credit: Snowbrains

Drones on, time to drop! Ready to turn, we waited for the production signals, and we dropped off. Between different slopes and rocks, we were descending side by side with Gabriel while the drones rolled, enjoying one of the longest runs of the backyard of Farellones.

Santa Teresa, Santa Tere, Farellones, El Colorado, Southwest — *Summit of Santa Teresa, Southwest Face, Farellones, El Colorado.* Credit: Snowbrains

Joy and sweat, Santa Tere welcomed us with a mixture of winter and spring snow along with a fresh enough sun to accompany the session. The production happy with the work and we satisfied with our performance, we closed the day with cold beers and the beautiful view offered by the valleys of Farellones.

The Guard of the Three Valleys, Santa Teresa, Santa Tere — *Bottom of Santa Teresa, The Guard of the Three Valleys.* Credit: Snowbrains

Luckily for us, the weather was on our side. Not long after our descent a dense-dark cloud coming from the mountain range, like good Patagonian weather, in just a few minutes it left everything covered.

Buddy debriefing, Santa Teresa, Santa Tere, Farellones — *Buddy debriefing, the bottom of Santa Teresa, Farellones.* Credit: MartBerrios

Camaraderie is the key to great adventures and good experiences. It was a pleasure to work and help each of the attending producers and even more to meet them. Behind every great professional, there is a very good person.