The Pampas and Andes: A Thousand Miles' Walk Across South America

A seventeen‑year‑old from New England sets out on a lone trek that will carry him more than a thousand miles across the sweeping Pampas and rugged Andes. With only a few dollars in his pocket, he braves tropical seas, fierce pamperos, and the unfamiliar tongues of distant towns, driven by a restless curiosity for the natural world. The early chapters capture the raw energy of a youthful explorer learning to read the land, from the roar of the Río de la Plata to the sudden fury of a South American storm.

The narration retains the fresh, candid voice of a teenage journal, offering vivid sketches of endless grasslands, towering peaks, and the flora and fauna that dot the journey. Though lacking formal instruments, his careful observations reveal a surprising depth of insight, presenting a snapshot of mid‑nineteenth‑century South America through the eyes of a determined, inquisitive wanderer. Listeners will feel the excitement of each step and the quiet wonder that fuels his adventure.