HYPERNATURE

Invited on a team trip into the remote wilderness of Patagonia, North riders Fabian Muhmenthaler and Chucho Nonnot found a world very different to the one they’re used to back in Europe…

Photos: Kyle Cabano & Leo Hochgrassl 

Fabian Muhmenthaler

When I think about the Patagonia North trip, it gives me goosebumps. It was a really special and unique trip with a whole bunch of legends, and we got the chance to discover the unknown and see unchartered territories.

After spending some days up in Buenos Aires waiting for the whole team to arrive, we flew down to Bariloche to start our real adventure. We had an amazing house in the forest, surrounded by nothing but raw nature and huge trees. The air was so pure it made you feel clean just by breathing it in, and we were just a hundred meters away from the lake. It was a very magical place.

Nature in Patagonia feels unreal. The place kind of reminds me of Switzerland, but everything is just bigger, wider and more wild, so it really shocks you when you realize how big the distances are and how small you are compared to the vastness of what's around you. We explored the area quite a lot and tried different places and spots, each of them very different from the last, but you kind of always had that same feeling throughout, that of really appreciating the nature and understanding how unique this place is.

We had some light wind sessions, quite strong winds as well, flat water, big wind swell, and we even did a downwinder, so the trip was filled with all types of action. When we did the downwinder we just walked out the front door to the shore, rigged up and started our session right from there. At first it felt quite easy and safe, as we were in between two spits of land, so it felt like a little strait. As soon as we started to ride down towards some deserted islands, everything became wider and broader, soon the land was not so close and suddenly we were just surrounded by deep, icy water. I remember that at one moment, I had to sit on my board to drink some water (which you can drink directly from the lake), and I was just staring at this huge barrier of mountains that surrounded us, looming over us but still very far away. These huge white mountains made a kind of horseshoe shape around us. It really kind of shocked me, it was something I'd never experienced before and I felt like a complete alien, staring at the terrain of a new planet.

Other than that, being able to travel across the lake with your foil and take little pit stops on uninhabited islands – it's really a sick feeling and something you don't get the chance to do very often. Far different to where I usually find myself – no 25ºC heat and no coconuts to eat!

We had a pretty amazing experience in one of the most beautiful places I saw in Patagonia, Villa La Angostura. It consisted of a small village, set in a very beautiful nature reserve, surrounded by stunning islands with really clear, shimmering water. We drove there for a couple hours or so, and then took a little boat to a small island, where we had the tastiest asado (Argentinian BBQ) ever. Then the whole team and local crew went out for a sesh…

So, the wind was on, the sun was out, bellies were full and off we went! All of us, kiters and wingers together, for a midday to sunset session, and it was magical. To be able to ride with all your teammates and riders I've been looking up to for such a long time was so unique. Conditions were firing and everyone was happy and vibing. I remember going around the island with Chucho to find a sweet spot where we could take some shots.

We wrapped up the day by heading back to the shore, watching the sunset from the boat and being happy and grateful about the fact that we are able to enjoy these kinds of experiences together as a team. I’d say we all probably appreciate nature way more than before and are forever impressed by the size of everything there. A humbling little lesson about how insignificant we are when compared with the grandness of nature.

Chucho Nonnot

Patagonia is one for the books. I had never been to Argentina and I was quite surprised with what this country had to offer us. Our journey kicked off in Buenos Aires, setting the stage for an adventure with the entire North team and the welcoming Argentinian crew. The initiation was a grand party ceremony, and the warmth of our reception set the promising tone for the trip.

Then from there, the real trip began, flying to the famous Bariloche, known for its great ski pistes. But not so much for wingfoiling, apparently…. That set up a challenge – we would be one of the first to wing there. Arriving there, what surprised me the most was these crazy landscapes. We were surrounded by snowy mountains, and then you could see this perfect winding river in between these high landscapes. That was where we would be riding.

The first session there, I remember it as if it happened yesterday. It was way colder than I expected, but I quickly forgot the cold and was fascinated by what I was experiencing in the water. I felt small, in the middle of an epic natural scene, enjoying the riding in one of the craziest scenarios I’d ever found myself in. The water was so fresh and clean, that we were able to drink it during our sessions, something I’d never experienced before.

Coming out of the water with freezing hands and freezing feet, I couldn’t feel anything anymore. We hadn’t expected it to be so cold, so we didn’t neoprene gloves or boots. That first session, conditions honestly weren’t the best, but it didn’t matter – I was just fascinated about everything. When we got back in the local crew was waiting for us with maté tea and a nice barbecue. What a warm welcome to Patagonia.

After that session, we got better conditions, way more consistent winds where we could truly express our riding and have the most fun between us all, especially mixing it up with the kiters. Jumping above each other, seeing them do huge kite loops above our head. There were only good vibes in the water.

Between our freezing sessions we got to experience other local activities, such as horse riding. This was for sure the moment when I laughed the most through the whole trip… Especially when your teammate doesn’t like horses! We had one day where the conditions didn’t look the best, so we decided to go skiing instead. But it was autumn, and all the ski stations were currently closed, but there still was snow. So we had to find a way make this happen… After a couple of calls from the locals, we were lucky enough to get one station opened specially for us. We were alone on the slopes and had it all to ourselves. What a moment!

The last day arrived, and it came with the most epic final session. It began with a downwinder to a little island in the middle of the huge Rio Negro, the black river. It was the best session to finish out the trip. Sharing the wind swell together with the team, in a solid 25 knots.

Reflecting on our journey, I’m pretty surprised how good the conditions are out there. Almost every day we had a session, with proper wind, and sunny conditions. It's apparent that what I’ve written here can only capture a fraction of the experiences we encountered in Argentina and Patagonia. From the initial wingfoil challenges in Bariloche to the cultural revelations in Buenos Aires, each moment contributed to memories that I will never forget. I'm left with the realization that Patagonia's adventure extends far beyond the thrill of the wind, but includes everything that goes with it.