ColchaShock Podcast

Tom and I talk about our trip to Patagonia and our time camping on the W-Trek, ice trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier and catching Mt. Fitzroy at sunrise. Good weather, mobile hostels, mountain legs, baloney & staying dry. Remember, we went in October. If you’re going mid-November through February, prices may be higher. You will also have to reserve hostels, busses and campsites in advance. El Calafate (3 days/2 nights) -Flight AEP>FTE- $400 Group Transfer FTE>Calafate - $10 -Minitrekking (includes park entrance): $150 (Full Day) -Bus El Calafate>Chalten (3h)- $80 roundtrip (3 hours) http://www.taqsa.com.ar/ -Rental Equipment (La Barraca in El Calafate) -Sleeping bag = $10/night -Sleeping pad= $20 -Cooking gas= $8 -Tent=$20/night?? -Typical Meal @ Parilla= $15-$20 USD -Hostel=$15/$20 USD dorm bed -El Chalten (3 days/2 night) Day 1: Arrive El Chalten on morning bus. Hike to Poincenot (3h) & camp Day 2: Sunrise hike Mt. Fitzroy (3h), cut across to Laguna Torre day hike (4h) & back to Chalten (2h) Day 3: Bus to Calafate -Hostel =$15/$20 USD dorm bed Puerto Natales (7 days/6 nights) -Bus Calafate > Puerto Natales (6h) ~ $80 roundtrip (http://www.turismozaahj.co.cl/turismozaahjenglish/index2.html) -Bus Puerto Natales > Torres del Paine (2h) ~$30 roundtrip (http://www.parquetorresdelpaine.cl/es/buses-regulares) -Torres del Paine Entrance Fee: $30 USD -Outline of the W ( 5 Days) -Day 1: Hike to Campo Torres (free site), Towers Hike -Day 2: Sunrise Towers hike, hike to Campo Italiano (free site) -Day 3: French Valley Hike, hike to Campo Grande ($7 USD/person) -Day 4: Grey Glacier Hike from Campo Grande & take boat ($30 USD) to Pudeto or camp at Campo Grey ($7 USD). -Day 5: Boat Campo Grey to Pudeto -Bus at Pudeto to take boat passengers to Puerto Natales- $7 -Hostel= $15/$20 USD dorm bed -Car Rental = $70-$100 USD/day

Gotta go for a run? Gonna hate every minute of it? Listen to a couple blokes talk about the differences between Australian and American culture and history, the craft beer scene in Buenos Aires, hostel stories and how easy it is to be white. One of the blokes has a cool accent. 20% of revenue from this podcast will go to the Australian Marine Conservation Society (http://www.marineconservation.org.au/) which works to protect Australia’s marine life. Australia, like most developed nations has a pretty poor environmental track record. These guys are looking to change that and it’s pretty cool. colchashock.com

Hey amigos, had my first couchsurfer! Kickass 25 year old dude from Sweden. We did a bunch of things over the course of 3 days and I learned a ton about Sweden and what Swedes think about America. In doing so many things, we forgot to do a podcast and were wasted when we attempted it. Turned out pretty poorly, so I just did a short solo podast that kind of goes over what we did, what I learned about Sweden and I got an outside perspective on the chaos that is the 2016 US presidential election. At the end, I detail my newest go at a recipe, the Cubano Americano. 20% of revenue from this episode will go towards Water4 (https://www.water4.org/what-we-do/), which actually seems like a legitimate charitable organization that drills wells for drinking water in impoverished Africa. You can check out a couple great podcasts with former UFC fighter Justin Wren that has partnered with Water4 on the Joe Rogan Podcast (episodes 603 and 687) and hear about Justin's immersion into the Pygmy People of Africa and the struggles they face as a marginalized African population.

I talked to a friend who would rather not be named about her adventures knocking on doors in Guatemala, making friends with locals, crazy (to us) foods and then we ended up talking about Couchsurfing and the Couchsurfing culture. Because she would rather remain anonymous the album art for this episode is a Laotian chicken's skull sliced vertically down the middle which enables you to slirp the brains out like jello. It's a delicacy don't kid yourself. 20% of revenue from this episode will go toward Mayan Families (https://www.mayanfamilies.org/) which works with the indigenous (and often marginalized) population of the Guatemalan region of Lago Atitlan. There are people with full or large majority indigenous blood that in most if not all American countries (Native Americans in the US, First People in Canada) and are so often neglected and in a sense cut out from a lot of opportunities. This organization is providing access to healthcare, education and microfinancing programs for the communities within this area. colchashock.com

Tyler backpacked Eastern Europe a couple years back. I've never sat down and asked someone what that entails until now, so if you've never done it it's a good intro. Tyler has a few gems of stories, and has great tips on where to visit. Prague. Prague is for sure on my list after this one. Tyler is a history buff so we start by talking about Abe Lincoln's presidential race, native history and the American (Vietnam) War. Tyler wants 20% of proceeds from this episode will go towards ROSA (http://rosa-os.cz/about-us-english/) which provides psychological, social and legal counseling to women in the Czech Republic who are victims of domestic violence. colchashock.com

Dan and Yanee came over for dinner and to talk Thailand. Yanee was born and raised in Thailand and Dan has worked there for a while. Tips on spotting good Thai food and getting off the beaten path. colchashock.com

Amber served in the Peace Corps in Kenya for 2 1/2 years and had a very interesting experience. Do not travel to Kenya if you're a schedule stickler. colchashock.com

Angela has been to 50+ countries. Syrian visas, Moroccan games in the sand and a friendly reminder to bring your headlamp. colchashock.com

Anna was born and raised in Russia. She schooled me on Soviet butter and Russian history. colchashock.com

Marty studied abroad in Buenos Aires. I sat down to some beers and to hear more about Buenos Aires. colchashock.com

Tye talks about his 3-month stint in Madagascar. The island, the food, the people, the shamans. Check out tyetheguy.wordpress.com for more insanely entertaining reads.