10 Days expedition
10 Days expedition
Elevation gain 1700 meters
Backpack weight: 30 kg
Very strenuous and rigorous hike; training required
Winter trekking & glacier training required
Groups from 2 to six people
September to March
Meeting with the Guide; debrief about the details of the program and check of the personal equipment.
Transfer to Río Eléctrico and start the trekking. It takes about 8 hs to get to “Laguna de los 14” Campsite at the foot of Gorra Blanca Glacier. The first 2 hs along a lenga forest, and then on rocky terrain around Lago Electrico. There will be 2 river crossings: Pollone River & Electrico river, but only the second one has a cable zip-line to go across with harnesses.
Trek to “Paso Marconi” (1550m/a/s/l); 6 to 8hs. This is the crux of the trip; we´ll need a reasonable good day in order to reach the pass. Weather allowing, there are excellent views of Fitz Roy, Piergiorgio and Gorra Blanca, among other peaks. After the camp, there are some steep rocky passages in order to reach the glacier. Once on the Ice or snow; we´ll start using crampons, rope and sleds, to continue to Gorra Blanca refuge (Refugio “Eduardo García Soto”).
Gorra Blanca summit attempt (2900m/a/s/l) by the normal route (NW ridge), with average ice slopes from 30 to 40 degrees.
There may be a short steeper section to climb the final summit mushroom. If the weather is favorable, we´ll be able to contemplate part of the Ice Field, the Cordon Gaea, Volcano Lautaro, Mount´s Fitz Roy and Torre among others. We´ll head back to the refuge in the afternoon.
This is about a 10 hour day with a gain of 1300 meters. (4000 feet)
Trek to “Circo de Los Altares”. This is a short day (about 6 hs) with the possibility to approach the famous west face of Cerro Torre. This site has one of the most impressive views of Los Glaciares National Park, the west face of Cerro Torre, especially at sunset! Camp at “Circo de los Altares”.
Trek to “Laguna Ferrari” or “Paso del Viento” hut. After about 4 hs hiking south from the Circo, we will exit the glacier and hike 2 to 3hs more trough moraines and rocky terrain. Camp at Laguna Ferrari or Paso del Viento hut.
Trek over “Paso del Viento”(1500m/a/s/l) 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”.
Spare days in case of bad weather conditions or rest days
Trek back to El Chaltén trough forest of “lengas” and over the “Pliegue Tumbado”, it´ll take about 5-6 hs. We will celebrate the end of the expedition with a barbecue dinner!
Certified Mountain Guide
Assistant guide
Comidas durante la Expedición
Transfer El Chaltén-Río Eléctrico
Four seasons tents
Kitchen set and utensils
Snow shoes
Glacier equipment: crampons, harness, ropes, etc.
Shovel
Sledge
VHF radio or sat phone
GPS (Global Positioning System)
First-aid kit
Bus de El Calafate a El Chaltén
Hotel en El Chaltén
Porters ( at your request)
Personal Equipment
Alcoholic drinks
Personal Travel & rescue insurance (highly recommended)
Services not specified
Gratuities
• Mountaineering boots CLASS B1 OR B2 (*).
• 65-70 L backpack
• Sleeping Bag (-10 or -15°C, down recommended)
• Bivi sac (optional)
• Insulate mattress (Therm-a-Rest or similar recommended, with insulation)
• Walking poles with snow basket
• Sunglasses with UV filter (Class 4 for glacier travel)
• Ski Goggles
• Sun-block and lip balm
• Compeed or second skin (personal blisters kit)
• Personal Hygienic set (toilet paper, wet wipes)
• Small Personal first aid kit
• Pocket knife & spoon / Bowl and cup
• Duct-Tape (optional)
• Head lump (with spare batteries)
• Water Bottles (2 Nalgene bottles recommended)
• Light shoes (Approach shoes or mountain running shoes)
• Neoprene socks (light weight; optional for river crossings)
• Merino baselayers (top and bottom)
• Soft shell pants
• Sweater (medium weight)
• Synthetic puffy jacket (mid weight)
• Down hooded Jacket (heavy weight)
• 3 pairs of thermal socks (2 thick and one liner)
• Waterproof pants (Gore-tex with lateral zips)
• Waterproof Jacket (Gore-Tex)
• Snow Gaiters
• 3 pairs of gloves: Thin gloves + midlayer gloves + waterproof insulated gloves (with fingers ideal)
• Sun cap or Sun hat
• Wool or fleece hat
• Neck warmer, buff, or balaclava
(*) We can rent you the boots; If needing these, please let us know when you register. Also, give us your boot size.
Please make sure you have all requested equipment, let us konw if you need advice for buying or renting