Abstract

Pasture is a keyword for Chilean arrieros as much as an indicator of larger transformations occurring in mountainous landscapes. Animals and men are drawn to where springs and foraging are available, availability that is imperilled by global change. A seasonal movement occurs during the summer, when the mountain grasslands flourish, nurtured by the glacier melting. The veranada is such a season, and its length, as well as the quality of the pastures, are dependent on the climatic conditions of the year: a harsh, dry summer means a shorter period, while few summer rains will extend the season for the benefit of the livestock and the herders.