On November 30th, the Leave No Trace training, the number one program in the U.S. company National Outdoors Leadership School. was carried out in San Pedro de Atacama. The students of third-year from Sequitor School of San Pedro de Atacama participated, as a way to encourage them to study Responsible Tourism as a career, that now a days is the main income of the town, which attracts 150 thousand tourists a year.
Alto Atacama participated actively, led by our chief guide Matias Alamo and in this experience, 15 students were instructed in the gorge of the sector Cardones in Guatin, an oasis 28 kilometers from San Pedro, on the way to the Tatio Geysers.
Matias gave a spectacular training, showing the kids how to assemble a full trekking pack including sleeping bag, first aid kit, books on flora & fauna, GPS, flashlight, water, food and satellite phone and the importance of each of these items. Then, through demonstrative examples, he taught the 7 principles of the program as they walked along the ravine.
The event was a success, especially the power to convey young students in San Pedro de Atacama and enjoy the generosity of caring for their fragile landscape without leaving a trace.