My connection with Chile – my father’s 1958 expedition to the Atacama

We’re excited to share a story we think you’ll truly enjoy—a captivating journal written by one of our fellow members. It tells the tale of a personal and adventurous journey through the Atacama Desert, retracing the steps first taken in 1958 by her father, John Aarons, and his close friend Claudio Vita-Finzi, both newly graduated geography students from Cambridge.

The original Cambridge Atacama Desert Expedition was a bold scientific mission to explore the region’s ancient peoples and climate. Darwin once called the Atacama “The Useless Land,” and John and Claudio later used that phrase as the title of their book—a witty and vivid account of their travels. Though long out of print, The Useless Land remained a cult favourite and was even described as “highly readable” in The Rough Guide to Chile.

Now, decades later, Emma and her husband David have followed in those footsteps—sort of—blending memory, history, and discovery in a journey that reflects the spirit of the original expedition. Her journal is both a tribute to her father’s legacy and a fresh look at the enduring magic of the Atacama.

Alongside this desert adventure, the journal also includes a charming day-by-day account of their time in and around Santiago, capturing the rhythm of the city, its people, and the small moments that make travel so special.

We hope you enjoy reading this beautifully written account—an exploration of land, family, and the timeless pull of adventure.

And finally, a gentle reminder: if you have a story with an Anglo Chilean connection, we’d love you to share it with us!

The journal:

The Not-So-Useless Land.pdf

Download PDF • 388KB

The images:

Not-So-Useless Land - images.pdf

Download PDF • 2.27MB