Flaco is my nickname. In Latin culture, nicknames are common and most of the time it's a sign of endearment. This one has followed me for most of my life, so it seemed appropriate to use it here too.
How it started
I came to hiking later than most. In my 40s, after years of running, I discovered that slowing down and going further was its own kind of challenge. My first big hut-to-hut hike was the W trek in Torres del Paine, Chile. Going to Patagonia to do this multi-day hike, solo, self-guided was quite a challenge for me. But it changed everything — I was hooked and I've been on the lookout for more ever since.
What I hike
I gravitate toward hut-to-hut routes — multi-day treks where you carry a light pack and sleep in mountain refuges along the way. No tent, no stove, just you and the trail. It's the style of hiking that suits me most: challenging enough to be meaningful, comfortable enough to enjoy the journey.
I hike solo. Not because I'm antisocial — quite the opposite. Solo hiking teaches you something about yourself that hiking in a group doesn't. And you meet more people on the trail when you're alone. That said, I'm not opposed to group hikes — in fact, I did the Alta Via 1 with a small guided group, and it was a great experience.
I also do day hikes closer to home. I'm based in Portland, Oregon, so I spend a lot of time on trails across Oregon and Washington — and try to hit national parks whenever I can. Some of those may find their way here too.
Why this site
When I started hiking serious routes, I noticed something: the outdoor space didn't have many faces that looked like mine. Latins love the outdoors — we just don't always see ourselves represented in this world.
This isn't a "Latin hiking website." It's a hiking website that happens to be Latin. The difference matters. I'm not here to represent a demographic. I'm here to share trails I love, in the voice I actually have, with whoever wants to come along.
¡Bienvenidos! a todos. ¡Vamos!