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Day 1:
We fly to El Calafate. Introduction by the guide and transfer to El Chaltén. While having lunch with the guides, they give us the necessary details to keep in mind before, during and after the activity. We check, arrange and test the equipment.
Overnight at El Puma Lodge - L/D
Day 2:
Early in the morning, transfer to Eléctrico River Bridge to begin the journey. After a 2-hour trekking, we reach Los Troncos Shelter, at Piedra del Fraile. This is the last densely vegetated place we'll see in days. From there, we continue trekking up by Eléctrico River along an ancient glacier valley. We then reach Lake Eléctrico and border it. Two hours later, we ford Pollone River enjoying an incredible view of the northern face of Mt. Fitz Roy. After traveling on various rocky formations, we reach "La Playita", the place where we set up our first camp.
Overnight at Camp - B/L/D
Walking: 6 hours
Day 3:
We start our trekking towards the terminal tongue of Marconi Glacier. We walk on a huge remnants of a glacier which is often quite unsteady, making our pace careful and slow. We go up the glacier till we get close to Marconi Pass, gateway to the Ice Fields. Once we're there, we set up camp again. This day is probably the hardest of the entire expedition. We have to overcome an 800 meter drop along moraines and glacier land by means of crampons, snow-shoes and/or safety ropes if the guides consider them necessary. Besides, as this is a funnel-like valley, winds may be very intense.
Overnight at Camp - B/L/D
Walking: 9 hours
Day 4:
After an hour's walk on the glacier, we go through Marconi Pass (1.570 m.a.s.l.), now getting into the magical landscape of the Patagonian icefields. After a walk with snow-shoes, we arrive to our new basecamp: Circo de los Altares (1.250 meters above, sea.level.), at the foot of the west face of Mount Torre, one of the most marvellous places on Earth.
Overnight at Camp - B/L/D
Walking: 6/7 hours
Day 5:
We go southbound for a couple of hours more on the ice up to the terminal tongue of Viedma Glacier, then eastbound, leaving the ice in search for big moraines. We pass by a group of lagoons and keep on walking until Paso del Viento Shelter (900 meters a.s.l.), a very quiet and green place close to a lagoon to change the view and relax.
Overnight at Camp - B/L/D
Walking: 8/9 hours
Day 6:
Today we try to go up to Paso del Viento (1.500 meters a.s.l.), our exit pass from the Icefield to the valleys and a spectacular panoramic viewpoint. Afterwards, we descend to the valley of Túnel River and cross it with a Tyrolean rope traverse. This is our last campsite.
Overnight at Camp - B/L/D
Walking: 8/9 hours
Day 7:
Hiking through forests and grasslands enclosed by Mount Huemul and Lake Viedma, we cross through Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, the last of our slopes. From there, with a magnificent view of Mounts Torre and Fitz Roy, we go down the valley of De las Vueltas River to El Chaltén. In the evening, a great farewell dinner will be prepared for us.
Overnight at El Puma Lodge - B/L/D
Walking: 5 hours
Day 8 - 9:
These days will be used in case weather conditions do not allow us to proceed in proper safety conditions. The weather in Southern Patagonia is unstable and changing, qualities that may stress the wild beauty but also may hold us up in our journey. That is why we count on these extra days in case we need to make a change of plans.
Note:
There is a possibility that the expedition can not be carried out due to bad weather. It is the guide's decision to change or alter the program. Likewise, it is up to the guide to make any other changes, due to problems a group member might have or due to circumstances beyond his control.
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Recommended Gear
Each passenger must have some personal equipment to do this trip. Below is a detail of the necessary equipment everybody must have, plus some explanations. If you have any doubt, please ask us.
EQUIPMENT LIST:
General Equipment:
• Internal structured backpack with a minimum capacity of 80 liters.
• Sleeping bag for temperatures below -15º (synthetic, Polarguard 3D or duvet feather-quality, minimum 900 grams).
• Sleeping pad, high-density neoprene or Therma-Rest.
• Double plastic mountain boots (Koflach, Asolo, Scarpa, etc.).
• Gaiters.
• Trekking shoes or boots.
• One pair of telescope or ski poles.
Clothing and Warm-clothes:
• Waterproof / breathable jacket with hood (Gore-Tex, Ultrex, etc.).
• Waterproof / breathable trousers with zippers on both sides.
• Warm polar jacket (Polartec 300, or else Wind Stopper).
• Light polar jacket.
• Polar trouser.
• Long underwear outfit: Synthetic polypropilene or capilene undershirts and underpants (not cotton clothes)
• Trekking trouser and T-shirt, or trekking shirt.
• Change of underwear.
• Three pairs of warm socks, preferably of synthetic material.
• Two pairs of liner nylon or polypropilene socks.
• Over-gloves.
• Warm polar gloves.
• Light liner gloves.
• Warm polar cap.
• Balaclava.
• Sun cap with shawl or bandanna for neck protection.
Other elements:
• One pair of 100 % UV protection sunglasses with lateral protection as well.
• Hard glasses case.
• Ski googles.
• Frontal headlamp with new and extra batteries.
• A 1-liter bottle with wide dumper.
• An extra 1-liter bottle or CamelBak-type hydration system.
• Stainless steel flask.
• Sunscreen (SPF 35 or higher).
• Lipscreen.
• Eating utensils: dish, cup, spoon.
• Minimum personal hygiene kit.
Optional recommended elements:
• Swiss knife.
• An extra pair of sunglasses.
• Down or synthetic warm vest.
• Pocket-book.
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El Puma Lodge
El Chalten
Description: El Puma Lodge is located in the outskirts of El Chaltén village, surrounded by Mounts Fitz Roy and Torre. Pleasant and comfortable. Ideal to enjoy this corner of Patagonia. Its restaurant offers regional gastronomy and a unique variety of Argentinean wines. It has 8 exclusive rooms.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS
It is vital for each participant to check all of his/her equipment properly before traveling. Said equipment must be in good conditions, it must be comfortable and of course, it must be fit for the purpose. If any equipment fails in the middle of the journey, we will not be able to go on normally.
Boots: This is one of the most difficult elements for the ones who do not have a pair of their own, already worn and tried. New boots, as well as hired ones, may many times be uncomfortable. They can develop blisters after a couple of days' walk, making the trekking slow and painful. Therefore, we recommend those using new or just hired boots to wear them as much as possible on different surfaces and terrains before traveling.
Sleeping bag: Since it's very likely that it may rain at some point of the expedition, we recommend synthetic fiber sleeping bags (they do not absorb so much water, they dry easily and still keep you warm, even if they are wet). Anyway, if you are careful enough, down sleeping-bags are o.k. Temperatures are not extremely low, they may hardly reach -5º/-100º, though some times they may drop due to the wind and the prevailing humidity.
As for clothes, we always recommend synthetic ones, especially for underwear and for the torso: if you wear a sweated cotton t-shirt, you will be very cold until your body helps it to dry off.
Please, feel free to contact us if you have any doubt or if you need more details on the equipment.
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