Google “Patagonia” and you will find oodles of information divided roughly equally into two broad and quite distinct categories.
In geographical terms, Patagonia is a region at the southern end of the continent of South America, comprising a little over one million square kilometres and playing host to a population of around two million. It spans two countries, Argentina and Chile. Argentinean Patagonia is itself split into four political divisions – Neuquén, Rio Negro, Santa Cruz and Chubut. A fifth division, Tierra del Fuego, is split between Argentina and Chile.
Patagonia is generally cool and dry, the east coast being warmer than the west, especially during the summer months. However the wildly varying altitudes mean that climatic conditions can differ sharply from one area to the next. The region plays host to some fascinating species of wildlife including cougars, albatross, elephant seals, rhea, orcas and whales.
As well as the descendants of Italian settlers, the Chubut province also has a curiously large Welsh community. Indeed its capital, Rawson, was founded in 1865 by Welsh settlers with assistance from the Argentine government. This Welsh settlement is known locally as Y Wladfa, literally “the colony”.
Many thousands of residents of Chubut are fluent Welsh speakers, and Y Wladfa even has its own flag comprising the horizontal pale blue and white stripes of Argentina with a Welsh red dragon superimposed in the centre.
Patagonia climbing gear – finest quality but functional
But the other Patagonia is every bit as fascinating and varied. Patagonia is a producer of some of the finest quality yet at the same time highly functional climbing apparel, equipment and outdoor gear.
Rather than focusing solely on one or another particular line of clothing, Patagonia produces a whole range of outdoor kit, from wind jackets to woollen jumpers, from soft shell ascent pants to beanie hats. In addition it manufactures a selection of really useful travel bags, compact yet comprising all the divisions and compartments the serious walker or climber will need to be organised when out on an assignment.
Just one example of many of how style is combined with sheer practicality when it comes to Patagonia’s walking and climbing gear is the great value men’s R2 jacket – lightweight and compressible yet with super-warm fleece insulation, handwarmer pockets and breathable fabric under the arms.
When you are out on the hills and mountains, whether it is South America or Snowdon, you cannot afford to be ill equipped for the task. Everything needs to be fit for purpose, your apparel most of all.
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