Spring Break in Patagonia

By Christina Raymond, B.S. 2025

This past spring break, the 2024–2025 Undergraduate Honors Research Program (UHRP) cohort took a trip through Chile and Argentina, exploring the wonders of Patagonia. Although I went into this trip with only a little Spanish in my vocabulary, I came out of it at the same level of Spanish proficiency but with a lot more knowledge on another big aspect of the region: its geology. I made so many memories on this trip, but I had tres favorites.

One of my favorite experiences on this trip was seeing Mount Fitz Roy in El Chaltén. Now if you’re familiar with the Patagonia brand, you would know I am talking about the inspiration for its logo. The jagged, protruding mountains stood tall as the sun set on our first day in Argentina. Luckily, the sky was super clear that day, giving one of the best views of the granite mountains.

Another very exciting memory I have was seeing the Perito Moreno Glacier. I have never seen a glacier in real life so to say I was excited would be an understatement. It was so interesting learning about how the glacier is relatively stable and one of the largest in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. If you paid attention long enough, you could also catch pieces of the glacier breaking off and slamming into the freezing water below.

Lastly, maybe one of the most memorable moments to me, was seeing Fiona. Fiona is a pregnant ichthyosaur that was preserved and fossilized. The paleontologist in charge of Fiona, Judith, actually showed us Fiona’s fossil and talked through the process of finding and collecting her. It was so interesting learning the intricate details preserved in such a unique fossil and to essentially touch history.

It’s still hard to believe that I was able to be on this incredible trip. Everything about Patagonia was incredible and there are so many memories that I could talk about for hours. I am so grateful to the UHRP and the Jackson School for allowing me to have the experience of a lifetime.