On June 21st of 2006, on the eve of the southern hemisphere’s winter, we have begun the winter edition of Patagonia Expedition Race. This first edition took place in Torres del Paine and Tierra del Fuego, through the extreme south of America.

View of Lago Deseado during the last Kayak section of the race.
Photograph: Jose Manuel Jimenez, 26/06/2006.

It has been six days of adventures and exploring the magic in the patagonian winter, the scenery has been impressive and breathtaking, extensive peat bogs and steppe fields, sub Antarctic forests, frozen lakes, freezing cold rivers, hanging glaciers, deep fjords, snow covered mountains and more kinds of ice crystals than you can imagine. On the other hand, the weather was what we had anticipated for this time of year: clear blue skies, low precipitations, low temperatures and the complete absence of wind, which is the biggest difference with other seasons.

Day three, Victor Gonzalez during the kayak section in the Seno de Ultima Esperanza. Photograph: Luis Bertea, 23/06/2006.

The Race format for this winter edition has been daily stages that have included one or more disciplines: kayak, trekking or mountain bike. Another difference with summer races is that during winter teams are pairs.

Day six; Juan Carlos Valdes, Ruben Mandure, Veronica Bravo and Diego Banfi. All team members of the teams that made the first three qualifying positions.
 Photograph: Jose Manuel Jimenez 26/06/2006.

During the race, on each stage, all teams made their best effort to be amongst the first positions. In the end, the team captained by Juan Carlos Valdes has been victorious in the first winter edition of PATAGONIA EXPEDITION RACE. More details of the race and hundreds of photographs can be found in the update and photographs section.

.... the most authentic and savage race, now has a winter edition.