The Patagonian Southern Ice Field (locally known as the Continental Patagonian Ice Field) is the third largest ice mass in the world, after Antarctica and Greenland. It is a humongous plateau that is always covered in snow; located at an average altitude of 1500 masl. It is crossed by the Cordillera of the Andes from north to south. It is shared by both Chile and Argentina. This expedition is a 90km trek circling Mounts Fitz Roy and Torre, walking through forests, crossing rivers, walking with crampons and/or snowshoes, living a unique experience: it is without a doubt a most exciting, challenging and technical trek.
Meet the Mountain Guide to go through equipment and final checks. Last chance to rent any equipment that you may need. Go to Gendarmería and go through Immigration as we enter Chile on this trek.
– Overnight in hotel (not included).
We beging with a transfer to the departure point for the expedition – the Eléctrico River Bridge (17 Km from El Chaltén). We trek for 2 hours through a thick forest of lengas until reaching Piedra del Fraile camp ground. After a short break, the trek continues along the old glacial valley of the Eléctrico River before crossing the Pollone River.
Having traversed various different rocky terrains over a 3 hour period we arrive at “La Playita”, where we will camp for the night.
– Overnight: Tents.
– Meals: Lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
– Distance: 12 km.
– Walking time: 6 hours.
– Elevation change: 50 m
This is an important day of the expedition as we do need good weather to be able to make it to the ice field. Today we will cross a zip line, climb up some rocky walls to reach Laguna de los 14, and finally hike gently uphill “De los 14” Glacier”, which is the current port of entry to the Continental Ice Field. While crossing the glacier we will use crampons and depending on the weather conditions, we may also use snow shoes and equipment to ensure a high level of security.
We set camp up on the glacier, where the ice suddenly becomes flat! A fantastic location for great views of the Mounts Fitz Roy, Pier Giorgio and Gorra Blanca. Depending on the weather conditions we may continue on to the Mountain Refuge of Gorra Blanca, located in Chile.
– Overnight: Tents.
– Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
– Distance: 12 km.
– Walking time: 8/10 hours.
– Elevation change: 800 m.
This day we make our way to the “Circo de Los Altares”, where we will get close to the West face of the mythical Mount Torre and the mountains surrounding it.
This has to be one of the most impressive views within the National Park Los Glaciares.
– Overnight: Tents (on ice).
– Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
– Distance: 10 Km.
– Walking time: 5/6 hours.
– Elevation change: 100 m.
Today we begin our journey walking on our crampons or snowshoes in a southerly direction passing by the Laguna de Los Esquíes and then turn due east either to Laguna Ferrari or to Refugio Paso del Viento, to set up camp for the night (where we go depends on the group and weather conditions). The second half of the journey will be on a rocky terrain on the lateral moraine of Viedma Glacier.
– Overnight: Tents.
– Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and Dinner.
– Distance: 20 Km.
– Walking time: 8/10 hours.
– Elevation change: 500 mts.
This day we climb up to Paso del Viento, to descend afterwards the valley of the Túnel River until we reach Laguna Toro.
This is an excellent spot for a panoramic view of the Mariano Moreno range and Viedma glacier. The terrain will be rocky, crossing various moraines and part of Túnel glacier. We will also have to cross Túnel River on a zip line.
– Overnight: Tents.
– Meals: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and Dinner.
– Distance: 8 Km.
– Walking time: 6/8 hours.
– Elevation change: 500 mts.
We return from Laguna Toro to El Chaltén, with the option of climbing up Pliegue Tumbado and enjoying great views of Mt Torre and Mt. Fitz Roy, from a different perspective!
– Meals: Breakfast and Pack lunch.
– Distance: 15 Km.
– Walking: 6 hs.
– Elevation change: 250 m.
