Patagonia
2 SUMMITS
While not too technical, they involve rock scrambling, glacier travel on highly crevassed terrain and steep snow and ice slopes. They also require an expedition approach and the weather challenge present on every Patagonia climb.
Cerro Solo and Gorra Blanca are the classic mountaineering objectives in the Fitz Roy Range.
We start our trip in Calafate, your arrival point. The drive to Chalten will give you a first glimpse of the inmense dessertic step landscabe with its guanacos (a lama cousin), choiques (similar to ostrich) and condors. Once we arive to the little town of Chalten, we enjoy a good dinner in town and get ready for the next day.
Our first goal is Cerro Solo, which we aproach by tha Fitz Roy River. From camp we deal with a rocky loose trail with some scrambling sections to get to the glacier. Then we travel a steep glacier with huge crevases to get to the summit. The views from here are incredible, specially of the Cerro Torre range.
On our second objective, Cerro Gorra Blanca, is located within the Continental Ice Cap, close to Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy peaks. Besides the Marconi Glacier, Gorra Blanca is also a border point with Chile.
Being an easier objective than its famous neighbors, Gorra Blanca rewards the climber with the stunning Ice Cap landscape while providing the challenge of ascending a major peak on the mythical Patagonia.
A great program that allows us to climb one peak on each of the 2 main valleys of the area.
- Climb with a local IFMGA certified mountain guide, bilingual, with tons of experience in these peaks.
- Ascent 2 classic peaks of Patagonia in an iconic range full of history.
- Experience the best views on the Fitz Roy range.
- 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.
- IFMGA/UIAGM Mountain Guides (English-Spanish)
- 4 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.
- 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.
EXPEDITION DETails
TRIP DETAILS
- Skill level: intermediate. 20 kg packs. Alpine snow
45 degrees. Glacier travel, 10 hour days. - Location: Los Glaciares N. P., Patagonia, Argentina
- Length: 11 days
- Climber/guide ratio: 1:1 / 2:1
- Cost per person: 1:1 US$4900 2:1 US$3200
- Departure dates: on request from October to March.
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
Cerro Solo Camp. We start hiking towards Laguna Torre until we reach the Fitz Roy rive, which we cross by a tyrolean zip line. After another hour we get close to our basecamp by the creek. HEre we set our tents and get ready for our first objective. 3 to 5 hours. B, LB, D.
DAY 3
Cerro Solo. On our first Summit day we first deal with several feet of mixed scree and snow terrain in order to get to the glacier. From here we rope up and climb until the bottleneck, a steeper section which gives access to the top glacier. A short section of 45 degrees takes us to the ridge, then one last push to the summit. The views from here are stunning: Cerro Torre, Cordon Adela, the south face of Fitz Roy, and the Continental Ice Cap. Back to Camp. 8 to 10 hours roundtrip B, LB, D.
DAY 4
Back to Chalten. After breakfast we’ll start hiking back to town, where hot showers, a comfy bed and a our first celebration dinner will be waiting for us. 4 hours. B, LB, D.
DAY 5
El Chalten. Rest day. Hotel night. B.
DAY 6
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 7
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 8
Gorra Blanca. Summit day! Early wake up call. Light backpacks, only stuff for the day. Our goal is Gorra Blanca summit. We make our way trough seracs and crevasses aiming the west ridge. After getting on the ridge, we head east zig zagging ice mushroom (interesting formation of ice with wind, similar to Gargoyles on Robson). Our guide might fix the last pitch to the summit. If weather is good, you won’t believe the view. Head back to hut/camp to celebrate the nice day out. 1200 altitude gain, 8 to 12 hours depending on snow conditions and fitness of guests.
DAY 9
Back to Chalten. After breakfast we’ll start hiking towards the Eléctrico bridge and then back to town, where hot showers, a comfy bed and a great celebration dinner will be waiting for us. 8 hours. B, LB, D.
DAY 10
Extra day. We’ll use this back up day for weather and other considerations.
DAY 11
El Calafate. Drive back to the airport for your flight home. B