ICE CAP Expedition
PATAGONIA EXPERTS
Trek with a local IFMGA certified mountain guide, with huge experience in this circuit
The remote Continental Ice Cap is one of the wildest places on earth, a surreal world of ice and rock, where explorers will have a unique and rewarding experience.
This intense trip to the southern Patagonia will allow you to admire the contrast between desolated yellow steppe, deep green Nothofagus forest and the white horizon of the Ice continental cap.
This full circuit around Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre massif will offer impressive views of the many famous rock spires. Walking and camping on the ice will reward us with a powerful experience in this exceptional place.
● Experience the ultimate patagonic expedition
● Get to the Continental Ice Cap, one of the most surreal, isolated and fascinating spots on Earth
● Enjoy the small climber´s basecamp atmosphere of El Chalten town with its crags, bars, restaurants and wineries
● Take advantage of the personalized service that makes Andes Mountain Guides the best option in Patagonia
We meet at the airport in Calafate, where we start driving though the dessert to get to El Chalten, a small town/base camp with great lodging, restaurants and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Here we can already enjoy fantastic views of the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre Ranges.
On our first days we move along the Eléctrico River to get to the Marconi Pass, the natural gate to enter the Ice Cap. Our camps need to be bombproof due to the strong Patagonia weather. Our next stage will be the Circo de los Altares, an incredible place at the feet of the legendary Cerro Torre.
Once on our way again, always pulling our sleds, we keep traversing on the icefield to reach our way out at Paso del Viento, where we get to rock fields and forest again. From here a couple of days of trekking will take us back to El Chalten, where showers and a great traditional dinner will be waiting for us.
This is a real expedition, on isolated terrain, and enduring the worst weather on Earth, but experiencing one of the wildest landscapes ever and taking a life-changing challenge.
AMG offers the highests standards on Patagonia guided expeditions. Being a small company specialized on custom trips, we approach our Ice Cap Expedition with the same spirit, offering a personalized service in every aspect, with the advantage of having an office both in Argentina and in the USA. Our groups are small, our expeditions don´t overlap and our guides are simply the best: fully IFMGA certified, elite alpinists with extensive experience working not only in Patagonia but all around the world.
“All the guides did a splendid job in organizing and adapting to every twist from lost baggage to frozen bathroom water. The technical teaching was exceptional and all the guides were helpful, kind, funny and responsive to each concerned voiced by the group.The bottom line is you guy are great and it was a pleasure to be part of the expedition…”
Dr. Scott Unice, Idaho, USA
EXPEDITION DETails
TRIP DETAILS
• Skill level: Intermediate. 20-25 kg packs. Rock scrambling
Long distances glacier traveling pulling a sled.
• Location: Los Glaciares N. P, Patagonia, Argentina
• Length: 10 days
• Guest/guide ratio: 3:1
• Capacity: 9
• Cost per person: 1:1 US$3150
• Departure dates: on request from October to March.
INCLUDED
IFMGA/UIAGM Mountain Guides (English-Spanish)
2 Hotel nights at Chalten
All food when trekking/climbing
Restaurant dinners (drinks not included) as seen on itinerary
All camping and cooking gear
Private ground transportation during the trip
Group technical gear (ropes, climbing gear, snow shovel, maps, G.P.S, compass, etc)
Satellite phone service
24/7 assistance in the US before and during the program
Not included
Plane tickets
Access fees
Porters
Restaurant Meals and those meals not listed in the itinerary
Restaurant drinks
Personal equipment
Personal expenses
Rescue costs and extra expenses caused by abandoning the trip
ITINERARY
DAY 1
El Calafate. We meet at the airport before driving through the step for for 3 hours to Chalten. After arriving we check in at our Hotel and go out for a welcome dinner, good chance to know each other and make a good introduction of the trip. D.
DAY 2
Rio Electrico. This day we’ll drive to Electrico’s bridge, from where we’ll start hiking to our first camp at “La Playita” (5 hours).
DAY 3
Marconi Pass. This might be the hardest day and we will use ropes and climbing techniques to deal with the pass. Expect magnificent views of the Continental Ice-cap. We’ll camp at the ice field. Approx. 8 to 9 hrs. B, LB, D.
DAY 4
Circo de los Altares. There are incredible views in this section that can’t be missed; the Cirque is formed by several of the most famous peaks in the climbing world, such as Cerro Torre, Fitz Roy and Egger. Weather permitting, we’ll be able to approach the West face of Cerro Torre, one of the best views in the area. Aprox 5 hours. B, LB, D.
DAY 5
Paso del Viento. After breakfast we’ll start hiking towards Paso del Viento. Heading South we’ll traverse until getting out of the glacier, to approach the Refugio through rocky terrain. 8 hours.
Day. B, LB, D.
DAY 6
Laguna Toro. Trek over Paso del Viento and then down the Tunnel valley to get to Laguna Toro. In a clear day, there are excellent panoramic views of Mariano Moreno Range and Viedma Glacier. The terrain is rocky with screes and we’ll get across a short section of Glacier Tunel. There is a river crossing near Laguna Toro with a cable zip-line or by foot at he bottom of the valley. Camp at “Laguna Toro”. B, LB, D.
DAY 7
El Chalten. Trek back to El Chaltén over the “Pliegue Tumbado”, it´ll take about 5-6 hs. Showers and a traditional Argentinean BBQ to celebrate the trip. B, LB, D.
DAY 8 / 9
Extra days. These days could be used for resting or as weather days, based on the guide’s judgment. B, LB, D.
DAY 10
Transfer from El Chaltén to El Calafate. End of our services. B.