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Tag: #yocuento

Una vida llena de Aventuras.

por Anibal Rocheta

Apenas tenía 16 años de edad cuando decidí; junto a un primo, experimentar una nueva aventura, en el Parque Nacional Cueva de la Quebrada del Toro, en Falcón, Venezuela. Tomamos una cuerda vieja que estaba en mi casa y una linterna; y justo allí emprendimos camino a lo que sería el inicio de mi carrera como montañista. Recuerdo que ninguno de los dos teníamos conocimiento absoluto en el área, no estábamos para nada capacitados, pero la adrenalina y el deseo de aventurar, se apoderó por completo de nuestras mentes y de lo que sería en un futuro, una vida llena de retos.

ANIBAL ROCHETA

Durante ese viaje aprendí muchas cosas, sobre todo a acampar, además el hecho de tener que saber cómo administrar tus pocos recursos durante un fin de semana, fue un completo reto. Utilizar la justa energía de la linterna, las provisiones para la comida y también aprender a identificar sonidos de la naturaleza es realmente maravilloso ¡Wow, una experiencia inolvidable! Dentro del parque nacional había una cueva acuática muy poca conocida, pero no existía mapas ni guías turísticos, prácticamente no había información alguna de ella. A pesar de la imprudencia (éramos unos adolescentes) adentramos a la cueva. Mi primo se amarró la cuerda a la cintura (él era mi ancla) y yo inicié ese recorrido, nadando, pataleando, observando cada detalle de aquél inmenso monumento, pude observar por primera vez murciélagos en su hábitat natural, peces sin ojos, salamandras pálidas, guácharo (oilbird), y otros animales. Luego de ese maravilloso encuentro único con la naturaleza, nos tocó caminar unos 10 kilómetros, por un camino de tierra que nos llevaría a dónde estaría el transporte y posteriormente unas 5 horas en carretera a casa. Esto fue en definitiva, punta de lanza para sumergirme en el mundo “outdoor” hasta el sol de hoy.

ANIBAL ROCHETA

Con el tiempo, ya había hecho unos ahorros suficientes y decidí invertirlo en comprar buenos equipos, un bolso, una mejor linterna, carpas y algunos elementos esenciales que me servirían para las siguientes excursiones. A partir de ese momento, salieron diversas actividades que pude realizar durante mi juventud, como: Canyoneering (rappel dentro de cascadas), Puénting (saltar desde un puente en una plataforma a 150 metros del suelo), Escalar mi primera montana fuera de mis frontera (Perú), Caving (explorar la cueva del Guácharo, ruta no turística, una exploración que duró casi 26 horas dentro de la cueva) además aprendí de: escalada, montañismo, hiking y parapente. Asistí a competencias nacionales y experimenté el mundo de una manera única y “loca”, sí, asimismo porque el mundo es de los locos que nos atrevemos y que a pesar de los temores y riesgo disfrutamos cada minuto de adrenalina. Poco después, con tanta experiencia práctica y muchas capacitaciones, pude abrir mi propia empresa llamada Aguedo Xpeditions, la cual me permitía ayudar a las personas a introducirse al mundo “outdoor”, enseñándoles también a como a canalizar sus miedos y a mostrarles el uso adecuado de los equipos y los riesgos que se pueden tener en cada experiencia. Sin embargo, hacíamos cosas muy sencillas como caminatas en cuevas por pasillos estrechos, rutas de observación de naturaleza y descenso por cascadas con grandes niveles de agua.

ANIBAL ROCHETA

Una vida de aventura implica muchas veces alejarse de tu familia y seres queridos, pasar tiempo metido en la selva o en la montaña es algo que no todo el mundo está dispuesto a asumir. En mi caso, siempre he sido muy inquieto y con el pasar del tiempo y las experiencias pude patentar esta grandiosa aventura a la televisión nacional de mi País, con un experimento entre varios compañeros del mundo outdoor y en aquél entonces la que fuese mi novia y hoy mi esposa y compañera de vida: María Teresa, viajamos por todo el país recorriendo ríos, lagos, montañas, cuevas, haciendo un show de tv de alta definición que se denominó: Expedición 20:09 y se logró establecer por casi 5 años. Hoy día, los vientos han cambiado un poco y esa búsqueda de conocer otros puntos cardinales, me mude a los estados unidos hace ya dos años, en donde por ahora me he establecido junto a mi esposa, digo por ahora porque nunca sabes cuál será el siguiente nivel en una vida llena de aventuras constantes. Actualmente, he estado desarrollando un proyecto dirigido a la comunidad latina en USA y el mundo, llamada LOCO POR LA AVENTURA. Donde a través de información técnica, fotos, tips de seguridad y consejos prácticos podrás hacer del mundo “outdoor” un lugar seguro y divertido. Así que: ¡NOS VEMOS EN SU SIGUIENTE AVENTURA!

ANIBAL ROCHETA es Venezolano, Guía profesional de aventura, camarógrafo y fotógrafo. Aníbal, liderizó expediciones de montaña en Venezuela y Perú. Con más de 15 años de experiencia, es distinguido como guía de montaña en la sierra de San Luis (Falcón – Venezuela); en dónde emprendió su amor por la naturaleza y dirigió excursiones en distintas cuevas. Actualmente, vive en Portland, Oregón; desarrollando un magnifico proyecto 4k denominado “Loco por la Aventura”.

Think About that Moment…and Vote

In this installment of #YoCuento2020, Christian Arana, Policy Director for the Latino Community Foundation, recalls the moment he fell in love with the outdoors and urges us to make our voice and vote count in tomorrow’s Super Tuesday primary elections.

por Christian Arana

I have never been a nature person. In fact, the very thought of spending time outdoors brought misconceived notions of being pestered by bugs, climbing over fallen branches, and having no cell service to connect with the outside world.

Christian Arana, Policy Director for the Latino Community Foundation

But all that changed when I went camping for the first time in the summer of 2018.

Allow me to set the stage. A Latino kid from Los Angeles, CA with no tent, no sleeping pad, and no idea of how to start a fire goes off to Lake Tahoe to sleep outdoors with his friends. Luckily for him, his friends are quite experienced with camping and provide him with the necessary equipment and guidance.

But all goodwill towards this new experience is quickly erased when the campsite is paid a special visit by a brown bear. Not knowing what to do, he defers to his friends to scare off the bear and ensure that all food is securely stored in what I eventually learned is called the “bear box.”

And I’ll admit. I barely slept at all that night. But in the midst of being awake and listening to the sounds of nature, I quickly realized the sacredness of this experience. How clean the air and how bright the stars above me I thought to myself. And despite the fear that a bear visit brought upon me, I also thought of how I was just a visitor to this land, and how future generations can and should experience the beauty of this place and many places like it across the world.

It was a brief, terrifying, but edifying experience. It’s part of the reason why I am turning out to vote on March 3 for the California Presidential Primary.

At stake in this election is selecting a president who will craft policies that will protect our environment. Latinos come from a culture that respects and depends on the outdoors for survival. So, it is imperative that we all do our homework to see who is best positioned to ensure that our community can access and enjoy the outdoors for years to come.

The polling data supports it. According to a poll commissioned by the Latino Community Foundation in November 2019, combating climate change and pollution is one of the top 10 issues on the minds of registered Latino voters. For if climate change continues to erode our ability to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and be at peace in the world via the outdoors, it is not only harmful to our community, but to the world at large.

The author during a joint Latino Community Foundation – Latino Outdoors hike on 9/21/2019 at Lands End, Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco

On March 3, I ask all of you to think about the moment you fell in love with the natural world. Was it through a quiet walk in the forest? A camping experience on the beach? Or even climbing a mountain in one of our national parks?

Take that moment into the polling place. And exercise your right to vote!

Just Your Average Latina

por Kaitlyn Medina

I’m just your average 26 year old Latina who hails from the San Gabriel Valley. My papis are both from Jalisco, Mexico but coincidentally met in the United States. They fell in love 30 years ago and raised 4 beautiful babies, and so here I am.

I graduated from California State University, Chico in 2014 with a degree in bilingual Liberal Studies, which prepared me for a career as a bilingual elementary school teacher. I’ve since held some amazing teaching positions that have allowed me to live all throughout Northern California, Ecuador, and Mexico, where I’ve met and interacted with so many inspirational humans.

Over the last two years I’ve made the transition into Outdoor Education. My parents have always encouraged a love for the outdoors, but it wasn’t until I moved to NorCal that I really fell in love with outdoor life. Backpacking through Lake Tahoe, going on weekend hikes at Bidwell Park, and swimming in the Sacramento River are just some of the many activities that fueled my appreciation and love for Mother Earth. So when I was given the opportunity to combine my two loves: teaching and being outside, there was no way I was going to turn it away.

“My parents have always encouraged a love for the outdoors, but it wasn’t until I moved to NorCal that I really fell in love with outdoor life”.

Kaitlyn Medina

Being a leader with ARCC Programs has allowed me to travel the world, teach, and have my classroom be outdoors. I lead groups of students on 3 month Gap Semesters. We, my co-leader and I, teach communication, leadership, and travel skills. We also facilitate discussions which touch on different themes, like environmental conservation, public health, education, and micro-finance, as well as country-specific social and political issues. We use the many places we visit as unconventional classrooms in hopes that students grow as more tolerant, appreciative and kind people.

This also has allowed me to share my life experiences, not only as a woman in the workforce but as a woman of color in the outdoor community. Throughout my trips I’ve had dozens of meaningful conversations with my students, especially the young ladies, about what it’s like to be an adventurer and the benefits that come with becoming an educated and strong-willed woman.

We talk about how it can be tough to be heard in a space dominated by male voices and the way society views us as weak or less than. We also talk about what it’s like to be a person who has an impact on others and how to use that platform to empower others.

I’ve been able to see that I have an impact on my students in many different ways, but it’s the small, subtle changes that make my heart the happiest—when a young woman speaks her mind in a group of young men without fear, when they carry their packs up mountains without seeking help from others, or gathering up the courage to perform a hidden talent in front of a crowded room. I can’t and won’t take all the credit because let’s be honest, they’ve always been strong, beautiful, courageous women, I just help them realize it’s been there all along, and that they should never shy away from their greatness.

I can feel a bit isolated, out of place, and sometimes even incompetent as a woman of color in the outdoor industry, but I’ve taken those insecurities and run with them, constantly trying new sports and activities. Never in my life did I think I’d be white water rafting in Patagonia, hiking the ancient Inca trail in Peru, sliding down volcán Acatenango in Guatemala, or scuba diving the Caribbean reefs of Honduras.

“I can feel a bit isolated, out of place, and sometimes even incompetent as a woman of color in the outdoor industry, but I’ve taken those insecurities and run with them, constantly trying new sports and activities”.

Kaitlyn Medina

I’ve learned that exploring unfamiliar territories, especially as a Latina, comes with fears and many unknowns, but it’s also exhilarating and life changing. I’m able to show my students, sisters, cousins, and friends that we can do anything. Despite the countless times I’ve been told, “No puedes hacer eso porque eso solo lo hacen los hombres,” this has only made me want to do it even more.

While I’m an excellent teacher, powerhouse leader and role model to my students, I don’t think I’m a picture perfect example or some idol that people should look up to, in fact I’m very much an imperfect being. I constantly look to my students and peers to inspire self growth and perspective on life because I’m still trying to figure out how to be a healthy, happy, and strong person. But I do know that by just following my love for being outside and doing things that bring me joy, my niñas can see that anything they want to do is possible despite the color of their skin, where they or their family come from, hardships they’ve faced, or any negative stereotypes that might be associated with them.

Being outdoors has allowed me to find balance within myself. I’ve learned to love my body and be thankful for all that it can do and where it can take me. I’ve learned to find peace in places that are so much greater than I will ever be and to slow down, smell and appreciate the beauty that is the wilderness.

If you’ve been thinking about being more “outdoorsy”, just go and do it. Push yourself a little out of your comfort zone. Who cares if you don’t have name brand gear? I literally hiked throughout South America in $15 shoes and $8 Costco pants. Someone once told me “The gear doesn’t make the athlete. It’s the person in the gear who determines who they will be.” So give it a try! Who knows, you might end up getting paid to hang out with really cool humans while you venture throughout South America.