A Retroactive on GOGO Field Trip #1
Nada Pode Parar Você
GoGo Co-Founder Elisa Oliveira looks back at our first field trip in the Espinhaço, a 28-day crossing in October 2021 that confirmed we were on the right path.
Out There, Near Angu Duru.
Foreword (by Eddie)
Prior to October 2021, most of Elisa & my research in Brazil’s Serra do Espinhaço had been done by vehicle (via the region’s labyrinth of backroads), long day hikes, and the occasional overnight backpacking trip. We’d spent roughly 6 months in the region since 2018 (my first trip was in July of 2018; hers in November 2019) and had become increasingly familiar with the compelling, expansive tapestry of local communities. Now, it was the spaces in between those communities that began to captivate our imaginations.
It seemed impossible to us that these tiny settlements had grown in isolation, when the cultural, historical, and natural environments shared so much in common, yet it was also obvious that whatever had tied them together previously (spiritually and/or logistically) no longer existed. Where was the connective tissue?
Neither of us had never done anything remotely like our first 28-day trek in the region. In fact, no one had—a fact later conveyed to us by local conservation unit directors, governments, and residents.
Thus, Field Trip #1 was born; planned on a whim, pencil-on-napkin-style, over coffee with a spirited young geographer & aspiring guide named Júlio Brabo.
It was September, and the spring thunderstorms (which we’d learn all about during the trip) were coming. Elisa had never trekked before. The trail conditions would be crazy, in a spectacular way.
First “HardEst Day Ever!” (Day 2)
Júlio & I in Rio Preto State Park
Huge Quartzite BLocks, Near Mendes
The Cerrado in bloom
The most special waterfall I’ve ever been to
Past & PResent
Travel has always held my heart and been my touchstone to other cultures, but my previous career (as the owner of a small architectural firm in Belo Horizonte) prevented me from engaging it.
It brings me profound joy that my job now is to welcome & connect with people from other cultures, and to tell them the tales of the amazing places where we go.
Crazy Water Crossing
An Important Test
Eddie & I had a feeling that we wanted to make our first trip at Gift of Go a trek, and (since I had never trekked before) we needed to figure out whether I would be physically & psychologically able to participate in these kinds of trips, or whether I’d need to stay on the sideline as more of a coordinator.
Now, I can’t even imagine not going into the field. It’s the best part of this job: being able to immerse yourself in every part of the culture, nature, and adventure.
My first summit! Serra Lisa
Yikes! Red Ticks
SUper tired on the Linha Verde
Running from lightning!
Most Intense moment of the trip
Growth as a choice
I’d spent 6 months in Italy as part of an exchange program during college. I chose to go alone, and I didn’t know the language well, so it was a really challenging experience for me.
When you put yourself in those kinds of foreign situations, lots of things can go wrong, but one thing is certain: you will grow if you allow yourself to.
Finding my Rhythm
Nada Pode Parar Você
Throughout our trip, I felt great physically. The biggest challenge is your own mind; getting trapped by the unknown. If you firmly believe you can do it, there’s nothing there to stop you.
Look at my “Gear”!
48 hours, 87 km
On Day 11 or 12, we decided to combine two days of trekking into one and ended up walking 44 km.
When we reached the 40-km mark, I was devastated. Not physically, but mentally. We had to walk all night long. I was sure we were lost and were not going to make it.
It was a pivotal day for me because after I’d accomplished that, I knew I could overcome anything. And I did the next day, when we (got lost and) walked 43 more km!
Dona Maria & I at her beautiful house
The Kindness of Strangers
On Day 18, after an exhausting 21-km trek, we reached a community of 6 people, and the house where we’d planned to stay wasn’t available to receive us anymore (since we hadn’t been able to communicate with them during the expedition due to the lack of signal).
Eddie & Júlio knocked on some doors, and another local family offered to share their dinner with us. To this day, I promise it was the best meal of my life.
It’s so humbling to encounter people who are so willing to give, even when they have so little compared to others.
Rediscovering my love for horses
Practical Findings
Some of the small, practical things I discovered about trekking during the trip: I strongly prefer cold days (nothing is worse than hot & humid!); having high quality gear isn’t everything, but if you can get it, it’s worth it (especially when it comes to footwear & rain jackets); water is life, and it’s amazing to have so much fresh, mountain water near us at all times (for drinking & bathing) on the trail; if horses are an option, I’ll take one. Ah, and having a soft pillow can make a huge difference during tent nights!
Pindaiba (Day 11)
Rio Preto SP (Day 8)
Quarteis (Day 23)
Fancy Resort! (Day 14)
We did it!!! Final night of the trip
An Emotional Ending
As the trip was coming to an end, I experienced an intense mix of emotions. On the one hand, I was happy that I’d been able to complete the trip without any injuries. On the other hand, I was sad because I didn't know when we would be able to go back into the field again.
It was honestly exhilarating to see how much I had changed in such a short amount of time. I gained a new perspective about the culture of my own country, and about my limits. It was such a privilege to be able to do everything that we did.
Mozart’s House! Day 5
Chapada do couto, Day 5
Morro de Alecrim, Day 6
Quarteis, Day 24
