South Patagonia
11 Days Touring
Training Required
Expert Skiers
Cerro Castillo in Chile's Aysén region is a pristine area perfect for ski touring and backcountry skiing, known for its remote mountains and valleys. Villa Cerro Castillo is a small village with basic services, and "Refugio Cerro Castillo" will be the base. On day 7, a scenic 800 km drive along "40 road" leads to El Chaltén, offering moderate climbs and skiing with views of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Ski options include Loma del Diablo and Cerro Vespignani. These remote areas require ski touring experience and good fitness, with approaches on foot. The Fitz Roy program includes flexible 2-3 day trips and one camping trip.
Lodging & Camping
1-4 People per guide
Ski Touring Experience Required.
August - September - October
Reception at Coyhaique Airport, and transfer to Villa Cerro Castillo. Lodging at Villa Cerro Castillo. Briefing with the guide; equipment check, and details of the program.
We will drive 20min to Ski at “Portezuelo Ibáñez”, different valleys to explore on our own from the road, starting at 1000m/a/s/l. If the conditions are good, we could make 2-3 different ski runs this day. Lodging at Villa Cerro Castillo.
30 min drive to the beginning of the trail. We will carry skis and personal equipment; the porters will carry the camping equipment and food, on the approach day to the Camp. The approach takes between 3-4 hs; optional Ski in the afternoon.
Different ski options according to weather and snow conditions. Full day ski Cerro Castillo area. Back to Camp Neozelandés.
Possible ski tour in the morning. Back to Villa Cerro Castillo in the Afternoon (3 to 4 hs). Lodging at Villa Cerro Castillo.
This is a Long Day on the road, but very scenic as well: the route goes along Buenos Aires lake (second largest lake in South America), and then on the historical “40 Road” (the longest road of Argentina from North to South along the Andes) Total driving time: Aprox. 12-14hs. Lodging at El Chaltén.
We start the morning driving 1h to Mosquito Creek; we will hike from then carrying the skis until we reach the snow, usually starting above the tree line (1000m above sea level). We will Ski the “Loma del Diablo” (1800m/a/s/l). Vertical gain: 1200m. Lodging at El Chaltén.
Drive to Lago del Desierto (1,5h drive). We´ll hike to Laguna Huemul and approach to the base of Huemul Glacier (1 to 1,5 hs approach to the snow), where we´ll skin up the “Cerro Vespignani” (2146m/a/s/l). This is a fantastic descent, with great views all around! Vertical gain: 1500m. Lodging at El Chaltén.
We will drive 30 min to “El Pilar” to start our approach to Fitz Roy Basecamp, 3 hs hike. After setting camp, we will continue to Laguna de los Tres (another hour carrying the skis on steep rocky trail). We will cross the frozen Lake and Ski at Glacier de los Tres, the closest you could get to Fitz Roy Mountain! Camping at Poincenot Camp.
After breakfast, we´ll go back to Laguna de Los Tres, and skin up the “Cerro Madsen (1806m/a/s/l), with great views of the Piedras Blancas Glacier. Back to the camp and hike back to El Chaltén. Vertical Gain 1000m. Farewell dinner with a good “Asado” (barbecue). Lodging at El Chaltén.
End of the services.
Note: The Itinerary can be modified and should be considered only as a guide. External factors such as the conditions of the snow or weather conditions could change the original plan, and your Guides will have the criteria to change the program if they consider it necessary.
* Please make sure you have all requested equipment. If you need to rent some of these items, please let us know in advance.
Don't hesitate and get in touch with us
so we can evacuate your doubts.
To help you choose and prepare for our activities, we described the Level of Difficulty that corresponds to the physical effort, and technical skills required:
Physical Training Difficulty:
Moderate: Main Trails along the National Park, with distances between 5 and 18 km distance, and elevation gain lower than 500m.
Intermediate: Could involve some terrain off-trail and steep screes. Distances between 10 and 20 km, elevation gain between 500 and 1000m.
Difficult: Semi-technical Alpine terrain, could involve steep screes, scrambling, moraines, glaciers, snow, etc. Elevation gain 1000m or more.
Very Difficult: Technical Alpine Terrain; could involve rock climbing, Ice Climbing or Ski Touring. Elevation gain 1000-1500m or more.
Technical Skills:
Trekking experience required: previous backpacking 2 to 3 days.
Winter experience required: backpacking in winter conditions 3 to 4 days.
Glacier experience required: technical use of crampons and ice axe.
Climbing experience required: Alpine ascents on multi-pitch routes; rock or ice climbing. (Or both).
Ski touring experience required: Backcountry ski descents & skinning uphill.
Use of beacon, probe & shovel.
Daily programs do not include packed lunch (you can request with an additional cost). All our multi-day programs (ascents, trekking, expeditions) include the Expedition meals as detailed below. (You could bring some of your personal snacks as well).
EXPEDITION MEALS
Breakfast:
• Coffee, Tea, milk, sugar, etc.
• Muesli (cereals).
• Cookies.
Pack lunch:
• Cereal bar
• Trail mix
• Chocolate bar
• Bread or crackers
• Assorted cheeses and cold meats.
Snack:
• Peanuts
• Crackers
• Olives, etc.
Dinner:
• Instant Soup
• Main dish: Pasta, risotto or stew. (In some cases, could be dehydrated or freeze dry meals).
• Dessert: Chocolate bonbons - Herbal tea.
For a reference of the estimated weight you will be carrying in your backpack, according to the activity you choose, you can use the next chart:
| Activity | Weight Range |
|---|---|
| Hiking 1 day | 5-8 kg |
| Trekking 4-6 days | 15-18 kg |
| Mt. Ascents & Alpine Climbs 3 days | 18-20 kg |
| Ice Field Expeditions 8 days | 22-24 kg |
| Ski Touring 1 day | 14-16 kg |
Yes, definitely! We are specialized on Custom Trips, and we can provide also the following services: Transportation, Lodging, Expedition Meals, Porters. We also provide services for Travel Companies, Photographers and Private Groups.
We highly recommend booking 90 days in advance, in order to find services available.
Our goal is to follow plan A, but if the weather or terrain conditions do not allow it, you will be offered a plan B or C, in order to use our services as best as possible.
info@mount-patagonia.com
+54 9 2966 60-7070
10am to 5pm
Eduardo Brenner 88 (9301) - El Chaltén.
