Adventure and traditional gaucho cultures converge in Cochrane
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 1.22 mi
- Elevation gain
- 36 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 43 ft
- Max elevation
- 472 ft
- TrailRank
- 30
- Min elevation
- 430 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Coordinates
- 19
- Uploaded
- July 4, 2014
- Recorded
- July 2014
near Cochrane, Aisén (Chile)
Viewed 476 times, downloaded 0 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Waypoints
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Cochrane
With close to 3,000 inhabitants, Cochrane is the largest town in the Baker - O'Higgins Cultural Area and the best place to find supplies and services in the southern part of the Aysén Region. Cochrane offers access to banking services and an ATM, fuel, pharmacy, hospital, a good supermarket, mechanics, and border control services, among others. Cochrane’s strategic location amongst parks, reserves and conservation areas makes it a magnet for fans of mountain climbing, kayaking and rock climbing. Each year, the outdoor community grows; new people arrive and locals discover hidden talents and passions. In addition, Cochrane is an excellent place to soak up Patagonian traditions; many locals still maintain gaucho traditions and lifestyles linked to farming and ranching.
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The Plaza of Arms
The recently renovated Plaza of Arms is located in Cochrane’s center and around it, you'll find the city’s main services. Don't forget to visit the Tourist Information Center for maps and brochures.
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Lord Cochrane Southern High School
In 1931, the legendary rancher Lucas Bridges built Cochrane’s first school, fulfilling his word to the inhabitants of the area. The creation of the Lord Cochrane Southern High School in 1984 represented a significant step forward for education, and a cultural awakening in the area. Located between Las Golondrinas and Esmeralda streets, it is considered one of the most prestigious educational establishments in the region.
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Cochrane’s Post Office
Historically, courier services delivered mail to Cochrane by horse, traveling through the treacherous, Lioness Canyon, which separated Cochrane from Chile Chico. Today, you will find Cochrane’s post office, Correos de Chile, on Esmeralda Street, N° 199.
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Offices of the Municipal Government
At the time of its founding in 1954, the town of Cochrane had ten houses. On October 26, 1970, the town of Cochrane, which had formerly pertained to the Department of Chile Chico, became a Department of its own. Its first Governor was Don Esteban Ramírez Sepúlveda. Shortly thereafter, in 1974, the Region of Aysén was established, along with four Provinces; one of which was the Province of Capitán Prat, also known as the Province of the Glaciers (Facebook: Provincia de los Glaciares). The establishment of this Province represents an important milestone in the realization of residents’ dreams to be able to access public services and government institutions within their local community. Today you will find the offices of the Municipality on Esmeralda Street, N°398, at the corner with Dr. Steffen.
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Cochrane’s Hospital
The earliest health care services in this zone were informally supplied by “Meicas”, elderly women who would travel the long distances between ranches to help ailing settlers. Thus, the creation of the Cochrane Hospital was another important chapter in the development of the city of Cochrane. This facility replaced the old Rural Health Post in 1979, providing citizens of the Province with much better access to modern health care services. Today, the hospital, located at Av. Bernardo O’Higgins N° 755, is equipped with four general medics who care for patients from the towns of Caleta Tortel, Villa O’Higgins, Puerto Bertrand, and surrounding areas. This hospital provides general and emergency care, minor surgeries, antibiotics and medications.
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The Museum of Cochrane
This local museum, located at Calle San Valentín N°555, next to the Cultural Center, contains two permanent exhibits. The first relates to the geomorphology of the area, the natural environment, flora and fauna, local economic activities and the evolution of the population. The second exhibit focuses on the history of human occupation of the area, with a dual focus on the indigenous history of the Tehuelche, or Aoniken, pre-Columbian hunter-gatherers, and the history of modern colonization.
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The ECA (Agricultural Commerce Stores) of Cochrane
Early residents of Cochrane ate diets consisting mostly of beans, potatoes, pasta, rice, tea and yerba mate. At times settlers also had access to meat, eggs, milk, fruits, vegetables and fish; however, surveys conducted in the region in 1938, revealed that rural families in Chile faced grand difficulties related to nutrition. Almost ¾ of the families in Chile were living in conditions where they did not receive adequate levels of nourishment. A number of government programs were implemented in Chile in response to these findings. One of these programs involved the development of a network of Rural Grocery-General Stores, subsidized and supported by the state as part of a strategy to establish a reliable and affordable supply of food and basic goods in remote areas. The Commercial outlets had various names through the years. If you have the opportunity to talk with an old-timer in Cochrane, you’ll find that they remember the INACO store (National Institute of Commerce). Almost all residents will remember the next name of these stores, the ECA (Agricultural Commerce Stores). The current name for these stores is EMAZA, which stands for Supply Stores for Isolated Zones; however, for Cochraninos, the store remains known as the Almacén ECA, and is a local institution. You can visit the ECA at Rio Colonia N°85.
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The Annual Folklore Festival
Cochrane’s history is inextricably linked with ranching and gaucho traditions, and this heritage is an important part of local culture; one that is maintained and celebrated despite the arrival of modern technologies. In fact, locals have found ingenious ways to blend their traditions and heritage with new passions and sports; many are now the guides and experts who will lead tours and expeditions in the amazing mountains and rivers of the area. If you are interested in learning more about gaucho customs, attend one of the traditional festivals celebrated in the city during the year. The Annual Folklore Festival" brings together musicians and music lovers each February.
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Folkloric Festival of Cochrane
Another option is the "Folkloric Festival of Cochrane", one of the oldest and important events in the region. During this two day celebration you can enjoy a full program of activities and exhibitions, including sheep shearing, a “sheepback” rodeo for children, and bucking bronco events for adults. You can try your hand at local games and even attempt the challenge of arming the typical tack of the day atop a pack horse. There are local artists and craftsmen, traditional music and dance, and a delicious variety of local cuisine, including spit-roasted beef and the largest “torta frita” in Patagonia.
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