We can’t talk about Evelyn without talking about Vanilla Ice, or tossing in the famous cliché, “Good things come in small packages.” We can’t talk about Evelyn without talking about passion for place, or about history, lineage, education, and dedication. I know a lot of people, but I would never say I’m someone with a lot of friends, so when I make a new one, they tend to have an impact. I knew we would be friends the minute she introduced herself.
I give a lot of talks. I teach workshops and do live events, too.
Several months ago, I gave a talk at PCNW in Seattle. At the end of the talk, Evelyn approached me and asked if I had ever considered teaching a workshop in Patagonia. Just hearing the name made me want to sprint from the center, book a ticket, and disappear into the Southern Chile backcountry. I have always been drawn to wild places and open space, so when she asked, I couldn’t help but be excited. I’m frequently approached about workshops, but most of the time, things don’t pan out. Either the person asking doesn’t follow up, or things don’t work out for other reasons. I told Evelyn to reach out, and she promptly did. Always a good sign.
The more she and I spoke about Patagonia, the more I felt I needed to visit before I asked anyone else to join us. As you know, I’m not a landscape photographer, nor am I a wildlife photographer unless you consider my dabbling with birds to be wildlife photography. My question was, “Can I make my pictures in a place like Patagonia, and can others do the same?” So, plans for a scouting trip were launched, and we booked tickets to Chile. But we would not be alone. When Evelyn and I first began talking, I happened to be at a friend’s house on Long Island. After my call with Evelyn, I shared the conversation with my friends, who immediately expressed interest in joining us on the scouting trip.
On the surface, this might sound odd. Meet a stranger at a talk, have a few conversations, then fly 12,000 kilometers to meet them at the end of the Earth. Then spend two weeks together, 24/7. But for us, it was completely normal, and one of the main reasons was that Evelyn made it so easy. She created a full set of documents tracking our dates, itinerary, route, supplies, and expenses. The goal was to skip a stone across as many different options as possible. From sea-based adventure, which was hilarious and something I’ll post about in the future, to remote estancias, urban and glacial exploration, Torres del Paine, and more. Many of the workshops in the region focus on one topic. A friend teaches a ten-day puma workshop. Others do landscape classes, but I’m after something different. I want students to experience the place, the people, and the culture. This means getting out and getting dirty while seeing and experiencing a multitude of things. This does complicate the planning exponentially, but we knew this going in.
Patagonia is not cut and dry. It’s not like teaching in a major city in Europe, or teaching in the US for that matter. (I love all locations.) It’s far more remote, entails far more time getting to and from shooting locations, and throws all kinds of weather your way. In other words, it’s fj&^%$# awesome. What was apparent from the moment we landed in Punta Arenas was that Evelyn knew everyone and every thing. In two weeks, I can think of one moment when someone asked a question, and she said “I don’t know,” but if you know my wife, you know she asks more questions than anyone I’ve ever met, and her questions come from directions that NO ONE expects. Evelyn introduced us to local artists, marine biologists, librarians, gauchos, puma trackers, and world-famous mountaineers, like the first Chilean woman to climb Everest, and all other 8,000-meter peaks.
Evelyn is curious. She sends texts saying, “I’m out studying fungus.” She says, “yelly” instead of “jelly.” This makes me laugh. And yes, each poignant moment of the trip was preceded by an impromptu playing of “Ice Ice Baby” with subsequent dance moves. She opened her house to us and slept on the couch while we took over the rest of the crib. (The house is incredible, sustainable, and a place I found incredibly difficult to leave.) “Dan, can you hike twelve hours straight?” she would ask. “Yes, Evelyn.” “I can.” “Okay, good, next time we go up there,” she would say, pointing to some gargantuan, snow-covered massif.
When it comes to a workshop in Patagonia, she is the perfect partner. Several times during the trip, our friends from New York said, “She was born to do this.” For me, it begins with the curiosity I mentioned above, as well as the passion that is evident the minute you engage with her. I love people who are involved. Local issues, national, international, whatever. Not people who talk about things they might do at some later date, but rather people who are out in the field engaging in what they are passionate about. Many of you fall into this latter category, so you know what I’m talking about. These are people you want to be around. People who force you to take notes so you can catch up later. We are a year out from our potential workshop. I’ve got a Spanish lesson to attend to, and Evelyn is hosting a watercolor workshop. There is much work to be done, and much work to share from our trip. (In book form, of course.) Stay tuned, and until then, keep going.
Comments 22
Wow. Just wow. Evelyn…one of those people who makes me think there’s hope for humanity after all….
Author
Ya, she’s a keeper.
The photo of her and her phone is straight out of the PJ handbook!
Author
I have a bunch more, but I figured I’ll dole them out over time.
With plenty to do now, perhaps a video/interview in the future? Seems like an amazingly individual who is intertwined with her community (part of the fabric). Would be curious to know how that passion started for her and what her “IT” is. Hopefully it is a nice day in SF. Regards.
Author
Good idea. I’m sure at some point between now and then we will do an interview.
Ah Dan… you should work in advertising… Oh damn, you do! Good for you.
I’ve been sold on Patagonia for years, and after reading your installments right after finishing a bunch of corporate BS work way after hours, my heart aches. I really need to move my butt somewhere — anywhere — just not in front of screens, please! To Patagonia – yes please, just give me a minute to rob a small bank on the corner 😉
Author
Yes, the screen is a killer. One thing I failed to mention, the vast majority of the time, there is no cell signal down there. You are isolated. It’s perfect.
What a beautiful testimony to an incredible-sounding human. Can’t wait for what lies ahead.
Author
She’s awesome, as are Chilean women in general. We did a six hour zodiac trip down the coast and it was an all female crew of total badasses.
I can see its tough work. but someone has to do it, you just happen to be the lucky one. 😒
Author
I am very, very, lucky.
Ahhhhh Evelyn!!!! She really shines through, authentically herself, in this article. I can’t wait to read more. She is badass woman with a heart of gold.
Author
Spot on!
Ella es genial ,apasionada por aprender de todo y muy divertida también de muy orgullosa de ser su amiga ☺️
She is awesome ,pasionated for learn about everything and super fun person to have around . So honored and proud to be her friend
Author
I feel lucky to have met her as well. A gem.
Thanks Daniel, for this article about Evelyn, she is “one of the kind” chilean women. So, proud of her and I can not wait to see the outcome of your work in the area in the near future. Abrazos
Author
Chilean women are the bomb. I feel fortunate to have met you, and the family, and hope you are having a good trip. Oh, and I got to drive your Hilux………AWESOME.
Hi Dan, I’m already waiting for the future Evelyn interview on Soundcloud! The sound is king. YT is overdone, to much information.
Author
Yes, I need to do that.
If only I’d had the foresight to go down a similar path when I was younger. I dreamt about it but thought it was impossible. Looking back now, I have no idea why. One day, I want to do that workshop.
Author
I think we all look back and wonder. But we can still do much looking forward.