Cochamó: A Victory for Locally Organized and Fought Conservation

Before the 2000’s, natives and arrieros lived in Cochamó valley in small communities. Eventually, English climbers stumbled into the place and word spread about Cochamó’s granite walls, eventually catching the attention of Brazilian, Argentinian, European, Chilean, and American climbers. Eventually, hikers and adventurers alike followed suit and found this place to be unparalleled in its beauty. Unfortunately, the land was not safe from major development. 

Heated and complicated dynamics between very different land owners and interests (industrial interests, eco-tourism, climbing, ranching, and conservation) led to a debate for over two decades on how the area should be protected and developed. Eco-tourism expanded rapidly and now Cochamó is a popular spot for Chileans to come enjoy the wilderness, and has been called “The Yosemite of South America”, but some say that Yosemite is the “Cochamó of North America.” After an amazing effort from a variety of different non-profit and locally organized activism, Cochamó is becoming a part of “Conserva Puchegüín”. 

This happened through a major land purchase from Puelo Patagonia, The Nature Conservancy, Freyja Foundation, Patagonia Inc., and Wyss Foundation. We could not be more overjoyed over this new level of protection and what it will bring to the area. Read more about that here:  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/climate/chile-cochamo-valley-puelo-patagonia.html

And here  https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/organizations-launch-campaign-conserva-pucheguin/