Denece
Customer
Rating
10
Customer Rating On return from their adventure we ask customers: “On a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the highest, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?”
Denece's Trip Date:
10th Dec - 24th Dec 2023
What was your most memorable moment?
There are several. At age 11 I did a report on Chile-I knew someday I would visit. At 68 my dream came true. The sheer, dramatic, non-stop beauty of both Argentina and Chile rattled my senses. But, I had some personal Gold Medal days. I made it to the Base of the Towers. A feat worth the work. At the top we spread a tiny bit of my best friend's ashes. She would have loved this trip too. Hiking almost every day to spectacular sites but also treking more than 10 miles a day-that's a good day. Oh-and cooking dinner with a local chef was spectacular. We foraged for our vegetables in her garden and had the added treat of a fox watching the hen house. We got word the next day that the fox had a couple of victories. Biking 15 miles on gravel. I said I would never ride gravel-but I did and it felt good to check that off my list. EcoCamp was life changing. Waking up each morning in a dome-stepping outside and getting a good morning greeting of the Towers. Or, stepping outside to see the sky peppered with billions and billions of stars. My world got bigger that night. I also loved the zero waste mantra and I have taken that home with me. I also loved the food. Oh-maybe the Pesco Sours too! There were some points that were memorable but also life-threatening. In Agentina-El Chetain -we did a kyaking trip. The wind whipped up and there were white caps on the lake. We went in the water-tipped over. This was not the day I was planning to do a Polar Plunge (another bucket list item I can now check off). This could have gone south very quickly and frankly-it has changed my relationship with water. I think kyaking is spectacular-but I think you might do it with better kyaks and wetsuits.
Which of the following best describes your adventure?
Life changing
On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?
10 out of 10
On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your trip: Safari in Southern Patagonia?
10 out of 10
Something Else?
The hike at Desception Pass in the Lake District was not my favorite. It was really windy and then both my husband and I fell. Yes, we are older but we are avid hikers. The skree and loose lava rock was an issue. However, I say this....I am still glad I did it.
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Patagonia?
Swoop should make sure that the itinerary matches the event. The bike ride was supposed to be around a lake and instead it was uphill for 15 miles on gravel. Setting the expectation is helpful. The brewery was fabulous.
Has your experience changed your perspective in any way?
Yes. It has inspired me to look for ways to continue stretching myself. It has also prompted me to look for ways to preserve the beauty of Oregon. I also met a huge number of GenZ and Melennials that are living a life that does not include a house, dog and white picket fence. That was so eye-openning. It was good to flex my perspective like that. It also made me want to have a "do over." I love how they are living.
Do you have any recommendations for Swoop, or feedback about the team?
Keep up the good work.
How prepared and excited for Patagonia did you feel?
Remember-this is the person who has waited for this trip since I was 11. But-the remarkable thing is how excited I am to share our trip with people at home. It has shot to the top of my favorites of all trips.
Would you consider another trip to Patagonia with Swoop?
No
Would you be interested in travelling to Antarctica with Swoop?
Yes
Would you be interested in travelling to the Arctic with Swoop?
Yes