by

PANAMATRANS CONTINENTAL

EXPEDITIONfebruary 9 to 14

2019

Xpeditions

Geoversity Field Xpeditions and the Guna Youth Congress are pioneering a life-changing journey across Panama, the land bridge between the Americas and the two great oceans. Taking place in February, 2019 in connection with Geoversity’s The Nature of Business program, the four-day journey, on mountain bike, foot and pack boat, starts on a beach on the Pacific at the gateway to one of the most significant estuary wetlands on the west coast of Latin America. You’ll take a day and a half to bike 50 kilometers to Centro Mamoní, Geoversity’s science center in the 4.000-hectare Mamoní Valley Preserve then, by foot, cross the Continental Divide into the autonomous territory of the indigenous Guna. You’ll descend the Río Cangandí on pack boats and paddle through the Mandinga River delta in kayaks to Guna island communities on the Atlantic coast.

the expedition

The Trans Continental Expedition is open to Nature of Business participants and by special invitation from Geoversity co-founder David Meerman Scott and HubSpot executive Carolyn Kim Meenan. This pioneering expedition and professional film shoot is limited to eight guests. If you have received an invitation and are interested please send an email to Claus Kjaerby (claus@geoversity.org) providing us with brief background on yourself, including recent and comparable outdoor experiences. You need to be in excellent physical condition and willing to support our documentation work . The descent on the Río Cangandí will be accomplished single handed in Alpacka pack rafts with difficulty not expected to exceed Class 2-3 on the international scale (American Whitewater Association). Participants will be mountain biking and hiking in hilly terrain and, starting at Centro Mamoní, experiencing steep and muddy trails, rain forest camping and cooking along the Jaguar Trail where there are no roads or human settlement until you reach the traditional Guna village of Cangandi.

the expedition

Map page

Geoversity’s Centro Mamoní

Atlantic Ocean

Guna Yala

Chagres National Park

Pacific Ocean

Mandinga Bay

Panama City

Chepo

Tocumen International Airport

Mamoní River

Mamoní River

Bayano River

Cangandí River

Cangandí

CO

NT

I N ENTAL DIV I D E Jungle Camp

Cangandí River

Puerto CoquiraSTART FINISH

junglewood falls

continental dividejungle trek

flat river andmangrove paddling

pacific outlet of the bayano river

cangandi falls

cangandi river rafting

guna islands

Day Activity Distance Estimated Time

2 Mountain biking (incl. fishing boat river crossing) 29 km 3,0 hrs.3 Mountain biking (incl. river crossings by foot) 22 km 6,0 hrs.4 Jungle trek 10 km 3,5 hrs.4 River rafting (grade 2- aprox) 5 km 3,0 hrs.5 River rafting (grade 2- aprox + waterfall) 6 km 3,0 hrs.5 Flat river and mangrove paddling 14 km 3,0 hrs.

Total 86 km 21,5 hrs

day 3

day 4day 5

David Meerman Scott, Geovervsity co-founder, is an internationally acclaimed strategist and speaker, whose books and blog are must-reads for professionals seeking to generate attention in ways that grow their business. Of the ten books he has authored, three are international bestsellers. The New Rules of Marketing & PR, now in its 6th edition, is a modern business classic.

Carolyn Kim Meenan, is the Brand Campaign Manager of HubSpot the fast-growing developer and marketer of software products for inbound marketing and sales. Before joining the company last year, she co-founded The Good Ones, an organization redefining social networking, and other cutting-edge social network and brand marketing initiatives.

guest producers

Claus Kjaerby, Director, Geoversity Field Xpeditions, is an experienced adventurer and professional development executive with a background as a civil engineer and an additional specialization in international development studies. For 25 years he has been engaged with natural resource and protected areas management, indigenous peoples, ecotourism and international development programs, in the Amazon, the Andes, Central America and Panamá.

Iniquilipi Chiari, President of the Guna Youth Congress, is on staff with Panama’s Ministry of the Environment specializing in indigenous affairs and protected areas. Following studies in Europe, he has been active with the Guna General Congress since 2007 and has represented the Guna people and the Guna Youth Congress in numerous international fora.

Kandi Valle, Geoversity film maker, has, since 2010, been directing and shooting many of the films related to Geoversity, Earth Train Foundation (now Geoversity Foundation) and the Mamoní Valley Preserve. A long distance runner and biker with a talent for outdoor action photography, he is an experienced jungle wilderness guide certified by The Professional Association of Wilderness Guide and Instructors (PAWGI).

Anna Gili, Business Development and Program Coordinator, Experience Mamoní, the not-for-profit group managing Geoversity’s science center, Centro Mamoní. With postgraduate degrees in International Cooperation and Development and Natural Resource Management, she is an experienced Wilderness Guide certified by the International Wilderness Academy.

expedition leaders

Casco Antiguo, PanamaHouse

Airport pick-up for participants arriving on February 9.

1400 Initial orientation: Briefing on the final route; handover of mountain bike and other ordered equipment from the Geoversity team; and general equipment check-up.

1800 Dinner with the Nature of Business participants at the Geoversity House in the old quarter of Panama City.

Overnight at the Riande Airport Hotel.

day 1: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9

0700 Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

0800 Departure by 4x4 to the mouth of the Bayano River (2hrs).

1000 “Panama Trans Continental Expedition” opening ceremony on the beach by the Pacific outlet of the Bayano River. This is the most extensive estuary wetland on the Bay of Panama featuring intertidal mudflats, mangrove forests, swamp forests, and freshwater pools. It is renowned as an important stopover for migrating shorebirds. Endangered species in the area include the Giant Anteater, Baird’s Tapir, American Crocodile, and the Loggerhead Turtle. This area, threatened by urban development, was recently declared a Ramsar site.

1100 14 km mountain bike out of the flat but irregular terrain of the Bayano Delta (2 hr.).

1300 Crossing of the Bayano River by fishing boat and lunch of fresh fish at Puerto Coquira.

1430 15 km mountain biking through open field, rolling hills, and the town of Chepo to the Riverside Hostel on the bank of the lower Río Mamoní.

1730 Medical check-up.

1800 Dinner at the hostel.

1900 Instruction meeting for tomorrow’s leg.

day 2: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10 – MOUNTAIN BIKING

0630 Breakfast at lodge.

0730 16 km and 150 meters climbing and hilly dirt road on mountain bike, including several river crossings (4.5 hrs.).

1200 Lunch and a refreshing swim at Junglewood Falls, your first experience of the 4.000-hectare Mamoní Valley Preserve.

1400 6 km 70 meters moderate hilly ride to Centro Mamoní, Geoversity’s Science Center at the MVP (1.5 hrs.).

1700 Installation in open-air raised cabañas equipped with plush beds, showers, western flush toilets, and AC 110 volt electricity supplied by micro hydro electric and solar panels — conveniently connected to the outside world via high-speed internet service. Medical check after a dip in the stream-fed swimming pool.

1800 Dinner.

1900 Instruction meeting for tomorrow’s leg.

day 3: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11 – MOUNTAIN BIKING

0600 Breakfast at Centro Mamoní’s main building.

0730 10 km jungle trek starting with a steep ascent to the Continental Divide. The continental ridge is followed by a 4 hour descent into the Cangandí river valley of the indigenous Guna territory that lies in the Caribbean basin. The descent is relatively flat and punctuated by multiple crossings of the smaller Guavitas River that flows into the Cangandí River. Feet will get wet! (3,5 hrs.).

1100 Picnic lunch by a tributary.

1200 Arrival to the rafting starting point on the Cangandí River. Preparation of individual inflatable Alpacka Rafts.

1300 5 km of river rafting grade 1-3 in a very scenic rainforest environment, after a short coaching session on the river (3 hrs.).

1600 Arrival to the upper Río Cangandí campsite located on the Jaguar Trail in a documented Harpy Eagle nesting area.The heaviest gear has already arrived. Set up hammock camp, followed by wilderness cooking dinner and campfire. Early to bed.

day 4: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 – JUNGLE TREK & RIVER RAFTING

0630 Breakfast.

0730 6 km continuous rafting on the Cangandí. Be aware, this morning you will reach the powerful Cangandí Falls, where a portage is mandatory (3 hrs.).

1030 Snack at the foot of the falls after the portage, with time for swimming and reflection.

1130 Onwards paddling to the traditional Guna village of Cangandí, located on a hilltop overlooking the river and the Caribbean in the distance (1 hr.).

1230 We’re guests of the community for a short ceremony and lunch.

1400 14 km change over to Oru Kayaks and paddle through the Cangandí-Río Mandinga mangrove delta to the Caribbean Sea (3 hrs.).

1700 Our private launch awaits to cruise us out into the Bay of Mandinga and onwards to our overnight accomodations on the Guna island of Quanidup (1 hr.).

1830 We prepare our rustic huts on this paradisiac island and then enjoy a dinner of freshly caught fish.

day 5: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 – RIVER RAFTING & KAYAKING

0700 Breakfast.

0800 Time for snorkeling around coral near the beach or relaxing in a hammock.

1200 Lunch on the island.

1300 Boat to El Porvenir for protocol meeting with sagladummagan, the traditional authorities of the territory. On route we pass by the island community of Gardí Sugdub, in process of relocating.

1400 Flight back to Panama City (45 mins.), Albrook airport and a 20 minutes transfer to hotel Central in the Old City center.

Dinner and farewell party at Geoversity House in Panama City.

day 6: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14

day 7: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 - DEPARTURES

GENERAL INFORMATION

WHAT’S INCLUDED• Arrival transfer to hotel• Lodging according to itinerary in

single room• 4x4 transportation from hotel in

Panama City to Pacific ocean starting point

• Air transportation back to Panama City from the Caribbean (possibly by helicopter)

• On-route paramedic assistance• On route guide and tech assistance• Fees to on-route indigenous

communities and the Guna Yala comarca

• All meals as mentioned• Beverages at all stations and camps• Inflatable Alpacka Rafts• Oru Kayaks

• Paddles, life vest and paddle helmet• Mountain bike• Hammock with mosquito netting and

rain cover• Cooking gear, eating utensils, mug,

cup and ingredients for cooking• Video documentation of the entire

journey

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED• Air transportation to and from

Panama• Insurance of any kind• Alcoholic drinks• Additional hotel nights in Panama• Personal equipment according to

personal needs and preferences (list of recommendations will be provided upon registration)

The mountain bikes, Alpacka Rafts and Oru Kayaks used during the expedition can be reserved or even bought through the Geoversity secretariat or brought along, if so preferred and informed. Geoversity cannot be responsible for delayed luggage, but we will do our best to organize replacement of missing equipment, if required. We recommend considering arrival at least one day ahead of program for that reason and to allow for (local!) climate adaptation/ time differences.

Total expedition fee (6 days all included): 2400 USD per person (only 8 slots)A non-refundable deposit of 500 USD per person must be paid to guarantee participation and final registration fee must be paid one month ahead of start. No refund will take place due to health or fitness issues after arrival.

Geoversity a global ecosystem of leaders and organizations collaborating in the pursuit of breakthroughs in human design, enterprise and creative expression, inspired by nature. From an administrative and educational base in the Republic of Panama, Geoversity pursues its mission through teamwork on:

Ecological Research and Service Leadership and Learning Designing with Nature

Geoversity´s mission is driven by a vision of “biocultural renewal”. We are committed to bringing about a popular shift in worldview, moving away from values and practices that set humankind apart from nature toward a fully evolved oneness with nature. Fittingly, the Trans Continental Journey is taking place during the year Panama City celebrates the 500th anniversary of its founding. It reverses the march taken by the conquistador Balboa that resulted in the “discovery of the South Sea” and the greater conquest of “the new world”. We’re joining indigenous youth leaders in celebrating a millennial reversal in worldview, from one focused on conquest to natural cooperation.

Geoversity Field Xpeditions is a program of Geoversity Foundation, the not-for-profit organization (formerly Earth Train Foundation) that serves as secretariat for the Geoversity ecosystem. It is dedicated to biocultural learning through adventure in the outdoors and cultural immersion.

ABOUT US

During this pilot expedition, you’ll become acquainted with the work of the Mamoní Valley Preserve (MVP), Geoversity’s main “campus” for hands on learning and ecological restoration and research. Overnighting at Centro Mamoní, the MVP’s science center at jungle’s edge, you’ll experience the latest in Geoversity Design innovation in bamboo and other natural materials. And, finally, thanks to our long-standing collaboration with the Guna General Congress and the Guna Youth Congress, you will get an unforgettable first-hand introduction to the consequences of climate change. At the end of your descent down the Río Cangandí, you’ll visit the village of the same name that was nearly swept away by record floods. Finally, you’ll experience Gardí Sugdub, the first Guna island community that is in the wrenching process of relocating to the mainland due to rising seas.

For an inspiring introduction to the worlds and stories you’ll be exploring, we invite you to see Life Changer (2018), a short documentary (link 2) on Geoversity produced by video game designer and Ubisoft Vice President Tommy François.

The expedition is a post-event to Geoversity’s annual “Nature of Business” program, a five-day global gathering where executives and entrepreneurs team up with thought leaders in business, science, design, and the arts to gain practical insights, including many from nature.

A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE