Support Poles / Bastones de Apoyo

Support Poles is a community-led initiative created by the Urban Natural Reserves Support Group (GARNU) in El Chaltén. It invites visitors to take an active role in caring for the surrounding environment while they explore this remarkable destination.

Rooted in the principles of community-based tourism, the project transforms each visit into an opportunity to create a meaningful, positive impact—supporting local initiatives and fostering a deeper, more responsible connection with the protected areas.

By offering trekking poles to hikers exploring the trails of the national park, Support Poles provides a simple and direct way to contribute to the conservation of El Chaltén’s urban natural reserves.

Each person who uses the poles makes a small contribution that goes directly toward funding GARNU’s ongoing work. These funds support projects within the local network of urban natural reserves, including the Reserva Natural Urbana La Lagunita and the Reserva Natural Urbana Ribera del Río de las Vueltas. 

Resource management is carried out collectively and transparently, ensuring that every contribution aligns with the group’s shared goals and long-term vision.

In this way, every pole not only supports your journey through El Chaltén—but also helps sustain and protect the natural spaces that make it so special.

“Support your hike, support nature.”