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Written by Jen Sotolongo
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Route Plan Announcement – Leg Two: South America

April 4, 20188 comments

Route Announcement: Patagonia to PortlandIf you follow us on social media, then you probably already know the news – the Long Haul Trekkers are headed to South America!

As our European adventure began to wind down, we discussed our options to either stay in Europe, end our cycle tour, or venture on to another continent. Since I taught English in Chile several years ago and Dave wants to learn Spanish, South America seemed like a great fit.

Plus, we love mountains and nature and we know South America won’t disappoint.

Cuernos del Paine from Lake Pehoé

Cuernos del Paine from Lake Pehoé. Photo by Miguel Vieira.

On 7 January, we leave from Athens and fly to Buenos Aires where we will stay for a few days before getting on another plane to Ushuaia in Argentina. From there, we will begin to make our way back home to Portland, Oregon.

We’re already well aware that we’re heading into the famous winds of Patagonia, but Sweden prepared us for wind, right?

We have no solid route plans, but have aspirations to cycle some or all of the following epic routes…

…and these countries:

Argentina • Chile • Bolivia • Peru • Ecuador  • Colombia • Panama • Costa Rica •                                        Nicaragua • El Salvador • Honduras • Guatemala • Belize • Mexico • United States

Have you cycle toured in South and Central America? If so, where did you travel and what tips do you have for us?

 

About the author
Jen Sotolongo

Hello! I'm Jen. I'm a writer, photographer, dog mom, and outdoor enthusiast. When I'm not writing about awesome ways to get outside with your dog, I'm probably out for a long trail run. I also fancy myself a pretty decent vegan cook, and am always happy to whip up a batch of cookies for friends. I am based in the Pacific Northwest and I never leave home without my dogs.

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@headtotaildogtraining and I have been a little quiet about Adventure Dog Camp lately. That's because we've been working on creating an experience that you guys truly want. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ After asking you directly what your wants and needs are, we've decided to shift gears a bit and host the event at a group campsite instead of at Suttle Lodge. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We are planning to host another camp at Suttle in the spring, so if you were super excited about going there, stay tuned! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We still plan to hold the same activities, including: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Paddleboarding clinic Pet first aid Backpacking 101 Barn hunt Trail etiquette Leash handling skills Advocating for your dog and more! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Hosting at a campground means that we can reduce the price to $550 AND we can now sponsor THREE BIPOC and LGBTQ+ participants thanks to @visitcentraloregon! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If this sounds up your alley, then apply today. Scholarship applications are open until August 15th. Link in bio.
I'm pretty soft spoken and introverted. Hearing the sound of my own voice used to give me anxiety. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When I first started trail running, it would take all of my energy to muster a barely audible "on your left." It was just too much for me to alert someone of my presence. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And then Sora came into my life. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My beloved, once-in-a-life-time heart dog who was reactive with other dogs and people. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When I first started hiking and running with her, I didn't speak up for her because it was too scary to hear my own voice. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I didn't like telling people that she wasn't friendly because there was so much more to her story than that. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Every time there was interaction because I had failed to speak up for her, I'd feel awful. I'd failed her, the other dog, and the other owner. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ After one particularly embarrassing encounter involving a senior birding group, trail where she shouldn't have been off leash, and two dogs at either end of the line, I realized right then that I had to find my voice. It wasn't an option. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So I practiced. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Each time, I'd get used to hearing myself sound authoritative and direct and I'd feel more confident. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'd try new phrases to test which ones worked best with other owners and people interested in my dog. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I got used to knowing that people would think I'm overprotective of my dog, or, because I'm a woman, a bitch. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When someone tells me to chill out, it slides down my back. The sting I feel when I'm told that maybe I shouldn't hike lingers less. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's still uncomfortable at times, and I know many will never understand, but I take my job very seriously because I've seen what happens when I don't. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So, if you're like I once was and afraid of your own voice, just practice. It won't be so scary after awhile.
Things I have to remember to do when I can’t run because of an injury: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🚿Shower 😷Put on deodorant 🧴Wash my hair 🛌Go to bed at a respectable hour 🧺Do my laundry ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Things I don’t have to remember to do when I can’t run because of an injury: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌯🥙🍕🧁🍫Eat like I’m training for a 50k ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are the basic things you forget todo when your routine is thrown off?
I spent last weekend camping in a glorious spot with full views of Mt Hood. #sponsored As wonderful as the spot was, it was incredibly dusty, and my favorite bath hater required a cleaning before coming into the house. I brought out the full arsenal of cleaning tools: my trusty @furminator_inc brush and @naturesmiracleproducts bath soap. All of the fur I brushed out was tinted brown and the pool water turned instantly brown. 😳 A half hour and plenty of struggle later, we have a clean dog with the softest fur! #RuffBuffandFluff
Before I knew any better, I'd hold my breath and tense my body when other dogs approached Sora. If you have a reactive dog, you know this is a recipe for disaster. At the time, I didn't know how to a) advocate for her, and b) properly introduce her to dogs. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As I learned more about dogs and began playing with different techniques. I started to notice that Sora would do really well with new dogs when I didn't physically introduce her at all. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We had a near 100% success rate of physical introductions on hikes when we kept the dogs separate for a period of time. Eventually, I’d maybe allow them to hike together off leash, provided everyone seemed chill. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ With Sitka, I'm far more savvy than I was with Sora, and most of our introductions have gone swimmingly, though I still make mistakes from time to time, when I rush the process. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Any time a scuffle has ensued, it's been 100% on me. And with each interaction, I learn more about Sitka and his needs and am reminded that dogs can just hang out together, social distance style. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are your success tips for introducing new dogs to one another?
Sitka was a nightmare in the car when I first got him. He was sent home to me on Trazadone because of his anxiety. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I didn't understand the extent of his anxiety until the next day, when we went drove to trail run. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ He yawn screamed. Darted back and forth. Lunged and barked and growled at cars. Panted constantly. Couldn't sit still. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was sure I would have an accident. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So I got a harness system to keep him contained. It worked a little, but he kept trying to turn around. He'd twist himself into the straps and I'd have to stop and pull over to untangle him. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Training helped a HUGE amount, but he still had a hard time sitting still and feeling calm in the car. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Finally, I got him a @dakota283kennels . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ He still whines and pants and turns around, but he is contained in one space and while the constant squeaky swing sounds drives me insane, I know that he is safe. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My purchase was validated after seeing news of a recent car accident involving a dog trainer and her two dogs. Her car was T-boned and flipped. She and her dogs came out ok, her dogs because they were in @gunnerkennels. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I did a TON of research about kennels for car travel and put together a blog post about my top picks. Check it out in my stories and link in bio. You can also learn why I went with a Dakota. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You can use code SITKA10 for 10% off your purchase of a Dakota Kennel. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Kennels are not cheap and they take up a lot of space in the car, but it's worth it to me knowing that my dog is safer in the event of an accident. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How does your dog travel in the car?
I have food scarcity when I travel or hike or run or do anything away from my kitchen. 😅 #sponsored I always pack too much food, even after I pare down. I just never want to be hungry and not have food, you know? I undoubtedly have too much at the end, but I’ll gladly carry the extra load for peace of mind! Luckily, Sitka’s food situation is much less stressful than mine is. My favorite, favorite, favorite camping and backpacking food for him is @onlynaturalpet Max Meat. (peep that new packaging!) #NewLookOnlyNaturalPet He loves it, it’s made in the USA, uses a high protein recipe, and it’s light weight, so I can bring a little extra, just in case he get hungry. 😉 Anyone else have food scarcity? Just me? 😬
I’m here! I’m well! (mostly, I’ll get into that). Life has just been incredibly hectic over the past month or so. Here’s what I’ve been up to: 🐾 I started interning with my trainer at @kindreddogpdx in June and have been learning a ton. I’m not entirely sure what I want to do with this knowledge by the end, but I have lots of thoughts. 🏕 @headtotaildogtraining and I are hard at work planning Adventure Dog Camp! We’re so excited to be making this happen and can’t wait to host our guests this September! 🏃‍♀️ I’ve been ramping up my running in preparation for my upcoming 50k, only to be sidelined by an Achilles issue. Right as I began my biggest mileage week ever in my life, I found myself in pain and with a swollen ankle. I don’t know what this means for my race yet, but I am pretty devastated. I was injured much of last year and finally feeling strong and confident in my running. Fingers crossed it’s just a tweak and I’ll be back on the trail in no time. 🤞🏼 Tell me what fun you’re up to this week. I’ve gotta live vicariously though you while I am on rest!
While I do constantly play the "is it a coyote or is it a cougar?" game with every stool sample I come across on the trail, the beast I generally fear most when I'm out with Sitka is the ubiquitous pet dog. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ By now, after so many encounters, I have a plan and method of managing them that comes to me automatically. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I've tinkered around with what works and what doesn't and adjust accordingly. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I've also trained Sitka to return to me whenever he sees a person or dog ahead so I can prepare ahead of time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Hiking, walking, going to breweries, and hanging out with friends is not easy with a reactive dog. @headtotaildogtraining and I know this first hand because we both have reactive dogs ourselves. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We've poured thousands of hours of work into our dogs and we created Adventure Dog Camp because we want to teach you those same skills that we've developed over the years so that you can feel comfortable getting outside with your own reactive dog. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don't have a reactive dog? That's cool. You'll still encounter the common house dog on the trail and you'll want to have the same skills in your back pocket. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Join us for Adventure Dog Camp in Central Oregon from Sept 19-22, 2021. Details at link in bio.