South Patagonia
2 Days Touring
Training Required
Intermediate Level
For fans and lovers of backcountry ski, El Chaltén offers the possibility to climb and ski moderate mountains with incredible surrounding views of Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the Southern Ice Field. Some of the options are: Loma del Diablo, Cerro Vespignani, Cerro Crestón and Cerro Madsen. These places are very remote, and you´ll rarely find any other people around... It´s very important to have experience and very good fitness, because in all cases the approach to the snow is walking and carrying your own skis.
2 Nights Camping
1-4 People
per guide
Ski Touring Experience Required.
July - August - September
We will depart early in the morning to El Pilar (15 km). Once there, we will head up around 2.5h to Poincenot Camp, where we´ll leave the camping equipment. After that, we´ll continue to “Río Blanco” valley, and start the steep ascent to “Laguna de los Tres” (1200m/a/s/l). From there on, we will go up with the skis on the East face of Cerro Madsen for another 600m of elevation gain. The views of Fitz Roy and Piedras Blancas Glacier are very impressive at the summit ridge! After a break and some photos, we´ll ski down, sometimes all the way down to the Río Blanco, then hike back to Poincenot Camp. Approximate time: 10h – Elevation Gain: 1300m.
After a good breakfast with a picturesque sunrise, we’ll return to “Laguna de los Tres”. From there, we’ll get across the frozen lagoon with the skis, in order to continue our way up the glacier until the saddle between “Punta Velluda” and “Cerro Madsen” (at approximately 1800m a/s/l). Another great panoramic viewpoint! We´ll take off the skis and ski down to Río Blanco. After the ski descent, we will pick up the camping equipment at Poincenot and head back to El Pilar. Drive to El Chaltén. Approximate time: 10h – Elevation Gain: 1000m.
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 Guide will have the criteria to change the program if he considers it necessary. This will not entitle passengers to claim any compensation.
* 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.
