Glaciers, one of nature’s miraculous creations, may disappear in this century due to global warming.
Since 1990, Italy’s La Venta Association has played a leading role in the exploration of Patagonia’s largest glaciers. Starting in 1990, members of La Venta have carried out research on at least 30 glaciers around the world, which has allowed the identification of factors which cause the formation of glacial cavities and, particularly, the morphological and climatic conditions which in some seasons cause the ice to melt. Ice caves is only one of the many projects La Venta has been carrying on during these two decades, from Mexico to the Philippines, from central Asia to Antarctica. You can learn more at www.laventa.it
An expedition by La Venta, outfitted in Icebreaker Bodyfit and GT, in collaboration with the Italian IB team has just been completed to Patagonia and Perito Moreno and its neighboring glaciers.
We caught up with filmmaker/cameraman/producer Alessandro Beltrame to learn more.
Tell us about yourself
I’m a 41-year-old filmmaker with 30 years experience in outdoor sports, from skiing, biking, climbing to mountaineering. I’ve been making videos for 15 years – take a look at www.agbvideo.com and www.vimeo.com/agbvideo/videos.
What was the purpose of your expedition to Patagonia to study the ice caves at Perito Moreno?
Exploring the ice caves inside the Hielo Continental Glaciers. Not only Perito Moreno, but also Viedma, Ameghino, Upsala and more. Take a look at http://www.laventa.it/eng/catalog/ghiacciai-patagonici/ipercarsimo-glaciale.html. The approach is scientific and documentary, my role was for a documentary.
Who was on the trip?
Fifteen men and three women, including 15 Italians and one person from Argentina, Mexico and Japan.
Why did you want to make a movie about it?
Two reasons: for a scientific documentation and comparison during the years, then to produce a documentary about hyper-karst in Hielo Patagonico and its influence on the global climate, global warming and fresh water reserve.
When will your movie debut?
My agency AGB with La Venta is trying to produce the film, we have experience in collaborations with National Geographic and BBC, and the Italian national channels.
How did your Icebreaker apparel perform in Patagonia?
An Italian dealer friend introduced us to Icebreaker. I had never used merino wool before. It’s not only fabulous, it’s incredible! Really! I wore Icebreaker baselayer for 30 days, from warm situations, with wind in El Calafate to ice camps on Moreno and Viedma. Some items I wore for five or six days without any problems. I have chosen IB for this experience, just the Italian dealer contact, no other way before to know and try it.
How can we find out more about your movie?
About the movie you need to wait some months, we are organizing the production, sharing the HD video with BBC, etc…
If you are interested in supporting the production, email Alessandro Beltrame at alessandro@agbvideo.com
Watch the Patagonia Ice Caves Project 2010 here
Patagonia Ice Caves Project 2010 from Alessandro Beltrame on Vimeo.
