The U.S. media, National Geographic, which covers scientific exploration, nature and culture, made a selection of the best 17 photographs recorded around the world this 2022, two of them belong to the extreme south of Chile and seek to raise awareness of humanity.
Chilean photographer Tamara Merino, now a member of National Geographic's network of explorer collaborators, is the author of two impressive images of Chilean Patagonia, which were chosen among the "Best Travel Photos 2022" published by the U.S.-based media.
Described as one of the few places on the planet that still maintains its untamed nature, both for its extensive ice fields and its unpredictable climate, Chilean Patagonia is becoming a destination of scientific interest par excellence, particularly for the conditions it offers when studying the effects of the climate crisis on our planet, which is why it is described as a global sensor of climate change.
"Together with National Geographic we are exploring as many Chilean glaciers as possible, documenting the impact of global warming on them and, obviously, their imminent retreat. Chile has the largest area of glaciers in South America, and 63% of its ice is in Patagonia," says Tamara Merino, a professional photographer for National Geographic.
During the last 10 months, NatGeo's team of documentary filmmakers has been recording one of the last wild frontiers in existence, with flora and fauna that can only be seen in this particular corner of our country. In the process, they have also been able to share with professionals who every day are dedicated to study the eternal ice of the area, facing dramatic weather conditions.
"In this area there is a group of Chilean glaciologists and mountaineers from all over the world who are gathering data on the retreat of the glaciers on a daily basis; it is really incredible research. Through, for example, meteorological towers that they install in different glaciers in the North and South Ice Fields, they extract valuable information for humanity. This group of glaciologists spend many days on the glaciers, they have to sleep in shelters at an altitude of more than 1,000 m and they have the possibility of being trapped for weeks," says Merino.
The documentation process has been accompanied by various Chilean institutions dedicated to the study, protection and dissemination of these natural conservation areas, seeking to bring people closer to the importance of protecting these resources. "The management to achieve these records has been wonderful. Chilean entities have worked hard so that we can reach these places, without them it would be impossible to carry out this project. One of them is Imagen de Chile, with whom we made the first trip to Campos de Hielo Norte, Laguna San Rafael and other glaciers. We have also received fundamental support from the CONAF and DGA teams, who have accompanied us with their experts on various trips and have provided us with fundamental information for our work. In the end, it is a project that has many edges and is super endorsed by all these entities and organizations, which gives it a unique value," concludes Tamara.
The Explorers Glacier is located northeast of the Northern Ice Field. This large mass of millenary ice descends from Mount San Valentín, the highest mountain in Patagonia (4,058 m), with a total length of 23 km (12 km visible) and a width of 3 km. This glacier retreats an average of 0.7-0.8 meters each year. Part of the ice tongue is covered by moraine on the Explorers glacier. Moraine is an accumulation of unconsolidated debris on the glacier. Its size and shape are determined by whether the glacier is advancing, retreating or in equilibrium.
Aysén, Chile. Photograph by Chilean Tamara Merino for National Geographic.
Andrea Carretta, 45, Italian park ranger and high mountain climber and military mountaineering instructor, climbs an ice cave on the Explorers glacier. Andrea is in charge of flora and fauna and glacier monitoring in the area. The Explorers Glacier is located northeast of the Northern Icefield. This large mass of millenary ice descends from Mount San Valentín, the highest in Patagonia (4,058 m), with a total length of 23 km (12 km visible) and a width of 3 km. This glacier descends an average of 0.7-0.8 meters each year.
Aysén, Chile. Photograph by Chilean Tamara Merino for National Geographic.
If you want to learn about this destination and more, we invite you to visit NatGeo and marvel at the 17 best travel photos 2022.
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