Vermont Skiers Aim to Keep Patagonia
Wild
October 10, 2006 (press release)-- In partnership with Patagonia Inc, adventure skiers
Brian Mohr, a contributing editor and photographer at Backcountry
Magazine, and photographer Emily Johnson, will be returning on
Oct. 8 to the wilds of Chilean Patagonia on a month long, skiing-focused
exploration of Chile's prized, yet seriously threatened, Rio
Baker Valley.
Home to Chile's largest and wildest river,
a new hut-to-hut trekking route (the Aysen Glacier Trail), and
a proposed new Chilean national park, the Rio Baker Valley is
also where the Spanish-owned ENDESA Corporation aims to construct
several major hydroelectric dams.
"Tourism has been growing steadily
here, and when combined with the conservation of this area's
glaciers, mountains and rivers, it holds great promise for the
future and people of this region," says Mohr. "A few
monster dams would stab these efforts right in the back - and
destroy one of the earth's great remaining wild places."
The group of four ski mountaineers, which
also includes Vermont skiers Craig Augustinksy and Vicki Beaudoin,
will spend 30 days camping and skiing in the mountains above
the Rio Baker Valley - located in the shadow of Patagonia's Northern
Ice Cap.
"We have a passion for the places
that still look, smell and taste the same as they did hundreds
of years ago," says Johnson. "It is our hope that our
stories and images will encourage others to persuade the Chilean
government into keeping Patagonia wild."
For their efforts, Mohr and Johnson have
been awarded Patagonia Inc's new Dirtbag Grant - a program designed
to support inspiring adventures with a significant environmental
mission. Other trip sponsors include Garmont USA, Karhu, Mountain
Hardwear, Mad River Glen, Green and Blacks Organic, LaraBar and
the organizations, Conservacion Patagonica and Patagonia Adventure
Expeditions.
Backcountry Magazine will feature a story
about the trip in an upcoming issue, and Mohr and Johnson have
a 10-stop slideshow tour planned for the Northeastern US and
beyond this coming winter.
Brian Mohr and Emily Johnson co-own Ember
Photography and EmberPhoto.com. Their skiing adventures have
taken them to East Greenland, Iceland, the southern Andes, Alaska,
Canada and throughout North America. They specialize in capturing
outdoor images for editorial and commercial clients worldwide.
You can view more information about their trip and updates to
their slideshow series schedule on the "Expeditions"
page of their website at www.emberphoto.com.
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