ProWorld Footprints

Cold, Snow and the Carabineros

Submitted by Steve Byrne on Thu, 2012-05-17

Into the cold, windy Atacama

Submitted by Steve Byrne on Wed, 2012-05-02

After another long night sleeping in a chair on the bus from Santiago to Copiapo, this morning Jose and I met our two new climbing partners, Alberto and Julio. Jose met them via a climbing forum on the internet and together, they collaborated so that we could all share the same pickup truck into our base camp. I had no idea what to expect, but Jose mentioned that they would be coming to pick us up at the bus station.

Reports from the High Desert

Submitted by Steve Byrne on Wed, 2012-05-02

A few weeks ago, I left the US bound for another adventure in South America: a climb of Chile's highest peak, Ojos del Salado. Along the road, I blogged on my phone as my friend Jose and I ventured ever deeper into the Atacama desert in search of standing atop the roof of Chile.

Into Santiago and out of Buenos Aires

Submitted by Steve Byrne on Tue, 2012-04-10

Into Santiago and out of Buenos Aires. Once again, this is my route for another jaunt in South America. This year I’m not headed south to Patagonia, but north into the Atacama Desert. The objective is 22 and half thousand-foot Ojos del Salado, the highest peak in Chile and the highest active volcano on earth. And yep, I’m going to do my best to brave cold, wind, sulfuric gases, lack of oxygen and poor hygiene to stand atop it. We climbers are a funny lot.

Volunteer Abroad: Employee(r) Benefit

Submitted by Steve Byrne on Fri, 2012-04-06

For many students, backpackers and travelers of the millennial generation, the benefits of volunteering abroad seem obvious: practice with another language, leadership opportunities, attaining a global perspective--the list goes on and on. However, for employers, the idea of paying employees to travel abroad and miss out on work back home can seem counterproductive and expensive, especially in a down economy. Why would you send a valued member of your workforce on hiatus? Why not let them volunteer as a part of paid vacation?

Bring It or Leave It? Packing Tips for the Adventure Traveler

Submitted by Steve Byrne on Thu, 2012-03-29

ProWorld Perspectives: A Conversation with Terri Wingham, Founder, A Fresh Chapter

Submitted by Steve Byrne on Mon, 2012-03-19

Terri Wingham, Founder, A Fresh Chapter

The Colors of Holi 2012

Submitted by Steve Byrne on Mon, 2012-03-12

Across India and the Hindu world, people are celebrating Holi. Taking place on the last full moon of the lunar month, Holi is a festival commemorating Krishna's pranks and the arrival of spring. Hindus celebrate the holiday by throwing colorful powders on their friends and acquaintances in large, public gatherings.

I recently came across a photo essay inThe Atlantic that shows the brilliant colors and jubilant crowds celebrating Holi 2012. Check it out!

Can Planting a Tree Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change?

Submitted by Steve Byrne on Sun, 2012-03-04

When I was a kid, my family planted a tree once a year to commemorate Earth Day. "Plant a Tree" seemed to be a popular motto for improving the environment, on a personal scale.

ProWorld Perspectives: Going Back to the Roots with Founder Richard Webb

Submitted by Steve Byrne on Tue, 2012-02-28

It's a new week and I'm excited to post the first installation of a new project here on Footprints, ProWorld Perspectives. Perspectives is a new interview series in which I'll be speaking with participants throughout the ProWorld family: staff, participants, even the founder. The goal is to not only create a more complete picture of the ProWorld experience, but share the stories and insights gained from years of travel and volunteer experiences at ProWorld projects around the world. It's my hope that the stories of our participants will help foster an authentic and informe