Patagonia: At the Bottom of the World

Dr. Richard Ryel, CEO, International Expeditions
"This book provides a comprehensive look at a magnificent region…thoroughly researched…read it and enjoy."


Salem, Oregon Statesman Journal, May 12, 2002
"Lutz presents its[Patagonia's] history, fauna and mystery with a fine realization of what is interesting (fascinating really)."


Bard's Ink, July, 2002
The overview is systematic, excellent for beginning travelers. Of particular mention, his historical journals are fascinating…


Book Description
PATAGONIA is a thoroughly researched description of this region at the southern tip of South America. The book begins with a narrative account of a trip to the area and then continues with much more information. Included is a chapter on the environment, incorporating many facts about the interesting wildlife as well as the weather and the terrain. Next comes a chapter on the history of Patagonia, including the fascinating experiences of the early explorers. The fourth chpater is an excellent review of the now-extinct Indian tribes. The final chapter deals wth the present situation in Patagonia--the politics, the investment climate, and some of the controversies sparked by U.S. timber companies moving into this pristine land. With four pages of color pictures, numerous black and white photos, and graphics, including maps of the area. Extensive index and bibliography.


From the Author
The trip to Patagonia was one of the most spectacular I have experienced in my extensive travels. The glaciers and the penguins were the most outstanding experiences. Standing among 250,000 penguins was a never-to-be-forgotten thrill. The glaciers are breathtaking. If you're contemplating a trip to Patagonia you must read this book. If you are curious about this beautiful land or if you enjoy armchair travel, this book will be very satisfying.


About the Author
Among other books I have written about unusual things in nature are HIDDEN AMAZON, and KOMODO, The Living Dragon. As you can tell, the unusual in nature fascinates me. My wife, Mary, and I live in Salem, Oregon.


Excerpted from Patagonia: At the Bottom of the World by Richard L. Lutz, Dick Lutz. Copyright © 2002. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
In 1851 a violent and erratic Lieutenant named Cambiazo overthrew the local governor, who was later killed, and Cambiazo began a reign of terror reminiscent of the time before the French Revolution. For three months there was panic, anarchy, and destruction in Punta Arenas. Cambiazo apparently had no plan for governance, but simply acted on his whims. Among other schemes, he deceived and took over some foreign ships that were anchored in the bay. Finally captured, Cambiazo was executed along with several of his followers. The city was then looted by Tehuelche Indians. Then, in 1877, a third uprising took place in which again there was much bloodshed. This one was the result of a rampage by soldiers, prisoners, and prostitutes! Surviving this third blow, the city eventually prospered, and by 1881 was a bustling port of nearly 2,000—with a church, a small fort, several dozen houses, and, of course, the prison. Later in that decade Punta Arenas was the site of a meeting between the presidents of Argentina and Chile in which war between the two countries was averted. Ona speech was guttural, harsh, and short. They were amazingly quick, both in sight and movement. Bridges describes a ritual ceremony where an Ona man starts running, from about ninety yards, towards a bowman who quickly shoots five arrows in rapid succession directly at the running target. The targeted man successfully dodged the arrows. For the purpose of this ceremony the arrowheads were replaced with pieces of hide which prevented any wounds from being mortal. In the few instances when the arrows struck the man, it resulted in only bleeding wounds, which were completely ignored by the bleeder. In his book, Bridges recounts a number of Ona legends. They evidently were a very imaginative people. The Ona had no religion but did believe in the existence of evil spirits. Or, rather, they pretended to in order to scare their women. One of their legends held that, in ancient times, the women of the tribe were dominant and the men lived in fear and subjection. At that time the women had their own lodge which men were not allowed to enter. The females had powers of witchcraft that could cause illness and death. The tyranny of the women grew worse and worse until the men revolted and killed all the adult women. In order to prevent the resurgence of the domination of women as the remaining young girls grew into women, the men eventually created their own lodge to which women were not allowed, under penalty of death, to enter. This lodge, called a hain, existed well into the twentieth century. The main prey of the Ona was the guanaco, although they hunted deer and rhea as well. They were skilled trackers. In addition to the meat from hunted animals they also ate roots, wild celery, and berries. It is known that they lived by hunting, using both bows and arrows and the bola. Working only with crude tools, the Ona managed to make bows and arrows of superb craftmanship. Gold has been, and still is, extracted from areas of Patagonia. Evidently gold was discovered in Patagonia sometime before 1867, but a record of who found it or when does not exist. This is different from the famous finding of gold by James Marshall in Sutter’s Creek, California in 1848 which everyone soon knew about. Patagonia is so far off the beaten track and so difficult an area in which to maneuver that the historical record is not very complete. One existing account comes from the year 1876. A noted Argentine sailor, Don Gregorio Ibañez, was stranded near Cape Virgin, at the eastern end of the Strait of Magellan. His shipwrecked crew was digging for water near the surf when they discovered black sand with gold in it. Also, about that time, people were bringing gold out from Las Minas creek near Punta Arenas. In 1884 another shipwreck occurred in the Cape Virgin area. When salvagers arrived from Punta Arenas to scrounge the wreck they began talking about the gold find eight years earlier. Some of the men began digging "just for luck" and again found gold.


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