Chile is a country of remarkable contrast. Comprised of more than 5,000 islands and territories, including a very large chunk of Antarctica, its mainland stretches 2,700 miles long — roughly the distance from Los Angeles to New York — yet averages only 110 miles across, contained by two of the world’s most stunning features: the Andes and the Pacific Ocean.
Inside these natural contours, Chile’s poles vie for attention. In southern Patagonia, at the fringes of South America, an organic spectrum of color claims the earth — olive, brown, gray — cut by glaciers of electric blue and dark granite horns that shoot vertically from the ground into the sky. Northward, to the harsh and arid Atacama Desert, parts of which are so dry they’ve never recorded rainfall, orange dust becomes the common denominator, and salt flakes charged with lithium cast brilliant pastels upon mountains millions of years old. On the off year it does rain, thousands of acres are suddenly swallowed up by purple and pink flowers.
Chile’s people, too, tend to oscillate between extremes. A young chef making cheese out of carrots. New World winemakers tapping energy from the soil. A historian brewing Old World beer. And a subculture of artists coating derelict cities in paint, trying to return their beauty. Their belief in Chile makes them one; their differences make them interesting.
For travelers, it’s these kinds of contrasts that convert places into destinations, and destinations into stories. So we packed our bags and flew south. Way south. To the edge of the world, where the mountains meet the sea. These are the tales from Tierra Pacifica. – Jack Seemer
Contents
Hiking to the Base of the Cuernos of Torres del Paine
Snowboarding in the Chilean Andes
From the Andes to the Ocean on a Motorcycle
Moon Walking in the Valle de la Muerte
Biking through the Garganta del Diablo Ravine
The Trend of Biodynamic Wines in Chile
Casa Cerveceria Altamira Wants to Change the Perception of Beer
A Simple Lunch with Chile’s Best Chef
A Historic Mansion Turned Boutique Hotel
Staying at La Casona at Matetic Vineyards
Alto Atacama Desert Lodge, Chile
A Playlist from the Editor in Chief of Chile’s Oldest Extreme Sports Magazine
Eating at Santiago’s Legendary Lunch Haunt
For the Best View in Valparaíso, Just Take the Elevator
Stunning Hasselblad Photography of Chile’s Landscape
The Nighttime View from Alto Atacama
7 Handcrafted Souvenirs From Chile
A New Graffiti Capital of the World
Testing the Boreas Aperture Bag
Making a Rica-Rica Picso Sour from the Alto Atacama
How to Tie a Poncho like a Guacho
Quasar Adventures, Your Ticket to the Heart of Patagonia
Sandboarding on the Dunes of the Desert
Frames from the Field
A Small Preview of What’s to Come
16 photos
Stories
Tales of Culture and Adventure
Puma Tracking in the Heart of Patagonia
Read the Story
24 photos
Horseback riding in Patagonia
Experience it with Quasar Expeditions
Pairing Music and Sports with Chile’s ‘Demolición’ Magazine
Read the Story
How to Tie a Poncho like a Gaucho
Read the Guide
The Chilean Pisco Sour with a Desert Twist
Read the Guide
Cultivating Biodynamics in Chilean Wine Country
Read the Feature
26 photos
Snapshots from the Atacama Desert
Stargazing in Atacama
Sandboarding Is Harder Than It Looks
Read the Story
Baptism by Fire in Garganta del Diablo Ravine
Read the Story
Midnight Hiking in the Atacama Desert
Read the Story
Postcard: Chile’s Most Famous Sandwich
Read the Story
7 Handcrafted Souvenirs From Chile
Read the Guide
A Stay at the Alto Atacama Desert Lodge
Read the Guide
For the Best of Chilean Wine Country, Go to La Casona
Read the Guide
The Aubrey Hotel Blends Modern Design with Santiago’s Historic Past
Read the Guide
An Interstellar View from the Atacama Desert
Read the Story
Capturing Chile’s Stunning Landscape from Above
Read the Story
Casa Cerveceria Altamira Wants to Change the Perception of Chilean Beer
Read the Feature
Photo Essay: A Graffiti Tour of Valparaíso, Chile
Read the Story
A Modular, Pro-Level Camera Bag that Delivers
Read the Review
Soul Food Sampling with Chile’s Top Chef
Read the Story
Snowboarding in the Chilean Andes
Read the Feature
72 Hours in Valparaíso, Chile
Read the Guide
72 Hours in Santiago
Read the Guide
A Paradise in Patagonia
Read the Guide
The Elevators of Valparaíso
Read the Story
Riding from the Andes to the Ocean
Read the Story
Hiking to the Base of the Cuernos of Torres del Paine
Read the Feature
The Roaming Cadre
Producer: Jack Seemer
Writers: Jack Seemer, Chris Wright, Bryan Campbell, Sung Han, Christina Erb, Tucker Bowe
Photography: Bryan Campbell, Sung Han, Jack Seemer
Designer: Henry Phillips