PATAGONIA ARGENTINA ICEFIELDS TRAVERSE
“The Patagonia Icefield is the largest non-polar icefield on earth, and the third largest mass of ice after Antarctica and Greenland. This is one of the most scenic, complete, and demanding traverses in Patagonia.”
-40 South, expedition operator
1:3 guide-to-client Max-ratio
*Reflected image of Fizy Roy and Cerro Poincinot on Lake Glacier de Los Tres
This trip will challenge your concept of adventure travel…
Join North Cascades Mountain Guides and our local operator 40 degrees South into the white expanses of South American’s ice caps. The Patagonia Icefield is a large continental ice mass (also called "the third pole"). Its mountain ranges have Pacific Ocean maritime influences that produce an incredible amount of snowfall and antarctic climactic effects. This feeds the icefield and Patagonia's legendary glaciers. Our trip takes us on a breathtaking circumnavigation of the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre Massifs, two world-renowned landmarks in Los Glaciers National Park.
*Alpen glowed western aspect of Torre Egger and Cerro Torre during evening in the Cirque of the Alters
Begin in El Chalten, a small gateway community to the icefield. There,
we’ll review our gear and talk about safety measures during our expedition and explore this wonderful climbing town. From here we will cast off into southern beech dwarf forests continuing on to the glacier terminal moraines leading onto the icefield itself via Marconi Pass. At the pass, the transition to the alpine begins and we are charged with intensity. The subtle change from the green forest to the multicolor lichen and moss on the moraines is a prelude to the land of ice, snow, and granite. The western side of the massifs is a place few have seen.
*Climbers approach the glacier terminus and prepare to gain Marconi Pass
*Traversing onto the glacier at Marconi Pass with Fitz Roy and central range of the Los Glacier National Park in the distance.
Once we're on the icefield we'll set up camp on the Cirque of the Altars. Here the west faces of most of these mountains serve as backdrop for one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world. The last leg of our circumnavigation takes us East and South, up to Paso Huemul. This pass offers excellent views of several mountain chains that pop out of the ice plateau, and the crevassed Viedma Glacier. Our last camp before civilization will be near the Viedma Lake, a beautiful glacial lake, which we'll navigate on the last day on a boat transfer. Since inclement weather is not uncommon, we've built three extra days into the trip schedule. If the weather cooperates, these extra days will be spent resting in El Chalten, taking treks in the Torre glacier, visiting historical camps of climbers, and meeting locals. And of course, we'll be eating an asado, the famous Patagonian lamb BBQ as a final celebration.
* El Chalten
12 day Itinerary : Feb 3rd-14th.....................................
Day 1: International Flight to Buenos Aires, or Mendoza. Hotel not included but we can make the reservations. (U$80-100)
Day 2: Reception and gear checks In El Calafate then ground transfer to El Chalten. The drive travels through the Patagonian desert and toward the Cordilleran Andes. We'll pass the glacier-fed Argentino and Viedma Lakes, and perhaps see some elegant guanacos, ostrich, and condors on the road to El Chalten. Spend Day gearing up for the traverse and stay Night In El Chalten.
Day 3: We'll pack our gear in the morning, and then hike to Piedra del Fraile, a charming mountain cabin in the forest, where we'll set our first camp.
Day 4: Weather permitting, we'll continue to Lago Electrico, and hike up to Paso Marconi through the Marconi Glacier. This will be the most strenuous part of the trek, but on a clear day the views of Fitz Roy, Piergiorgio and Pollone are astonishing! We'll camp at the top of Paso Marconi.
Day 5: Now that we're on the icefield, we'll continue heading south on skis until we reach Circo de los Altars, a resting spot with unique western views of Cerros Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and many satellite peaks. We'll build a tent shelter with shovels, and spend time exploring the Circe.
Day 6: It may be possible to spend an extra day at the cirque to rest, explore, and enjoy the views, otherwise this day is reserved in case of bad weather.
Day 7: We'll continue hiking across the icefield until we reach the lateral moraine that provides access to Paso del Viento. We'll camp at Ferrari's bivouac, named after Casimiro Ferrari, the first climber to climb Cerro Torre's daunting west face
Day 8: We'll climb up Paso Huemul. Here we leave the ice and hike skirting Mount Huemul. From here we'll enjoy amazing views of the icefield, the Viedma Glacier and the Mariano Moreno range. We'll continue hiking down through rocky landscapes into our last camp.
Day 9: From here it's back to El Chalten via a boat transfer and a short bus run. The afternoon will be free of activities to rest and enjoy what this small mountain own has to offer.
Days 10/11: We reserve these two extra days in case of bad weather conditions at the beginning of the trip. (We need a reasonably good weather-day to go up Marconi Pass.)
Day 12: Transfer back to El Calafate to catch your flight to Buenos Aires, or Mendoza
*Arial photo showing our route traveling counter-clockwise around the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre Massifs. The black line indicates travel on the Patagonian Icefield.
Experience Required:
You must have experience with multi-day backpacking trips, and be self-sufficient setting up camp. You should also be able to carry a 40-lb. backpack through different terrain such as unmarked trails, moraines, glaciers and snow.
Weather conditions: During this trek, you should expect all kind of climate: sun, rain, perhaps some snow, and a lot of wind. The icefield temperature during the austral summer is usually between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but it does dip below freezing at night. Note: While no one can assure good weather, you can expect a great and unique adventure from this trip, even if the weather doesn't cooperate. If the weather is bad the first four days, we will have to return to El Chalten and do an alternative trekking program.
What we include for the Program Cost:
~ Guides (1:3 guide-to-client Ratio)
~ Ground transportation
~ Lodging
~ All meals during expedition
~ Tents
~ Stoves
~ Group climbing equipment
~ Sleds
BOOK THIS TRIP
We are looking forward to having you join us in Argentina this winter. It is going to be a wild cultural and alpine experience not to be missed. If you have any questions or need more information please do not hesitate to call or e-mail Mark Allen at : alpinelines@gmail.com
NORTH CASCADES MOUNTAIN GUIDES
Alpine guides located in Beautiful Mazama Washington
Contact us
2 Country Rd
Mazama WA 98833
www.ncmountainguides.com NCMG web site
ncinfo@ncmountainguides.com office e-mail
alpinelines@gmail.com Mark Allen e-mail
509-996-3194-office phone
