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Patagonia Trekking and Climbing Itinerary Copyright 2016, American Alpine Institute

The that rise in southern just east of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are considered by many well­travelled trekkers and climbers to be the most beautiful mountains in the world. Scores of rock towers rise out of large glaciers in a beautiful juxtaposition of ice and granite. Two of the peaks there are especially famous, Fitzroy and ; their accessibility, awe­inspiring beauty, and rich and colorful mountaineering history make them a magnet for both trekkers and climbers from throughout the world

This program is a combination trekking and climbing adventure. Ascents that we make are not technical, and just fundamental mountaineering knowledge is all you need. We do a glacier skills intro. and review at the beginning of the program, so if you have never climbed on a glacier, this trip will be a memorable first experience.

The mountain scenery of this trip is superb, either excellent glacier climbing or stunning hiking, with ample opportunities for wildlife viewing as you pass through a variety of temperate and alpine ecosystems. The program encompasses what many regard as the most beautiful mountain region in the world. Climbers may also want to consider joining our eleven­day Ice Cap Expedition. We hope you can join us for one or both of these great trips!

On this trip you can expect: ● Carry you own equipment, pack wisely. You may opt to hire a personal porter for an additional cost, porters can carry up to 14kg/30lbs. ● Hike for 6­10 hours a day over moderate terrain with elevation changes between 1300­3200 feet or /400­1000 meters. Prerequisites and Preparation: ● Previous trekking and camping experience is required. ● Previous mountaineering or climbing experience is NOT required ● It is recommend that you incorporate regular aerobic exercise into your trip preparation plans so that you can best enjoy the trip.

B = breakfast BL = box lunch D = dinner

Day 1 | Arrival in . Arrive in El Calafate. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel by Patagonia Extrema (voucher). If desired you can order a box lunch today for the tour to Perito Moreno the next day.

Included Services: Hotel in El Calafate, voucher for bus transfer.

Day 2 | Visit to Perito Moreno Glacier (group tour with local operator) then bus to El Chalten Today you will join a scheduled tour in a group to Perito Moreno’s Balconies, and the company’s tour bus or van will pick you up at your hotel. This is a great opportunity to see one of the world’s major ice flows. It protected by the World Biosphere Reserve which is run by the U nited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO). Perito Moreno is among the few glaciers in the world that are stable without significant loss of mass and with substantial movement every year.

The glacier flows into Lake Argentino, and regularly part of the terminus creates a natural dam across part of the lake. Very occasionally, the water level rises until it suddenly and dramatically bursts the ice dam. Most every day you can see ice calve off the terminus of the glacier and fall into the lake, creating small icebergs that float away. Also on this day there is also a good chance you will see condors.

In the afternoon you will drive by van or bus back to the hotel to collect luggage and then take a taxi to the bus depot for three to four­hour drive to El Chalten. Transfer to your hotel in El Chalten.

Your guide will meet you to give you a briefing on the program. You will hire a cab from the hotel to the bus station, the hotel can arrange this for you.

Box lunch not included for Perito Moreno tour (you can purchase this from the hotel where you are staying; order it upon arrival). Included Services: Room at a hotel in El Chalten, D , Vouchers for tour and bus.

Day 3 | Glacier excursion We will start the Viedma Glacier excursion at 8:00 am. We will travel by bus to Bahia Tunnel, 20 km away from the town of El Chaltén, and there we will board a boat that will take us to the Viedma Glacier.

We will sail about an hour along and among its small icebergs created by calving at the snout of the glacier.

Once on the glacier, we will practice cramponing and snow and ice climbing skills. In the afternoon we will return to El Chalten, arriving around 6 pm.

Included Services: B , BL, Hotel in El Chalten.Private guide, voucher for the tour.

Day 4 | Trek from El Chalten to Thorwood After a nice breakfast, we will start our trek to Thorwood camp. We will be able to see the most stunning views of the nearby peaks and have excellent photo opportunities. Box lunch on the way and a good dinner at camp in the evening.

Thorwood Camp is an “established camp,” meaning semi permanent for the season. Our outfitter will supply you with sleeping bags and pads at this camp, so all you will need to carry on the day’s trek are your personal items (extra clothes, toiletries, etc.).

Included Services: B , B L, D , Camp Thorwood: tent accommodations, guide.

Day 5 | Trek to camp Poincenot Early in the morning, photographic hike to Mirador Maestri for sunrise alpenglow on Cerro Torre. Then make an easy trek up the valley on the east side of Fitzroy to Camp Poincenot.

B = breakfast BL = box lunch D = dinner

Poincenot is a mobile camp set up just for you. Llamas will carry all the necessary loads of group gear from El Chalten including your own sleeping bags, so the camp will be ready when you arrive. The llama drivers that bring the group gear to the camp can also bring a small bag that you can have ready in El Chalten with a change of cloths to use until arriving at the Adventure Camp on Day 7.

On day 7 at Fitz Roy Adventure Camp you will receive all your luggage left in El Chalten. Any additional items needed for the climb to Marconi Pass can be picked up there.

Elevation Gain from Thorwood to Poincenot: 200m (very gentle hiking!) Included Services: B , B L, D , Camp Poincenot: tent accommodations, guide.

Day 6 | Camp Poincenot – Punta Velluda­ Poincenot Weather permitting, climb Velluda Peak. This is an easy glacier climb with a short rock scramble at the summit. Spectacular views of the east face of Fitzroy as well as nearby towers.

Elevation Gain: 1200m Included Services: B , B L, D , Camp Poincenot: tent accommodations, guide.

Day 7 | Poincenot – Fitz Roy Eco Camp Beautiful trek up the Rio Blanco with side visit to Laguna Piedras Blancas and good views of Piedras Blancas Glacier, which flows down from Cerro Electrico.

We will arrive to Hosteria El Pilar, where a transfer will be waiting for us in order to drive us 5 km to our next camp, the Fitz Roy Eco Camp

The camp is a luxury camp on the shores of de las Vueltas River; it has a good infrastructure of services, including bathrooms with showers with hot water, cabins, a very good gastronomy and a sitting room with views of the north face of the Fitz Roy.

Elevation Loss: 250 m Includes Services: B , B L, D , Fitz Roy Eco Camp cabin or tent accommodations depending on availability, guide.

Day 8 | Trek to La Playita In the morning, enjoy the surroundings of eco camp. Then we will drive to the bridge over the Electrico River where the trail leading to the Marconi Glacier starts. We backpack to the camp at La Playita above the west end of Laguna Electrico and not far below the Marconi Glacier.

Included Services: B , B L, D , La Playita Camp: tent accommodations, guide and porter (additional fee) if requested.

Day 9 | Paso Marconi If weather is fine, we will climb to Paso Marconi. Only 30 minutes after leaving camp, we will reach the terminus of the Marconi Glacier.

Elevation gain this day: 3200 feet or about 1000 meters. Marconi pass is at approximately 4900 feet or 1500 meters.

Our first challenge is getting up the scree the composes the glacier’s terminal moraine. Like all scree, it is unstable and moves under foot a little with each step we take. As a result, there is no path.

After this short but difficult stretch, we will move onto the glacier itself and enter the much more aesthetic alpine zone of snow and ice. This is the most physically challenging day expedition. We will climb 2400 ft (800 m) of ice and snow, using crampons and ice axe, skirting crevasses, and steadily gaining altitude.

Marconi Glacier flows over the pass of the same name, and with mountain ridges to each side, the

B = breakfast BL = box lunch D = dinner pass creates a bottleneck effect, accelerating winds that come off the Southern Patagonian Ice Field as they are funneled into the restrictive passageway. It can be a challenging crossing because of the wind, especially if it is raining or snowing.

At the end of the day, we will reach our campsite in the shadow of Cerro Marconi Sur, passing into (no passports necessary!) and stopping only an hour away from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field itself.

If weather is not good, we will practice snow and ice climbing skills on the lower portion of the Marconi Glacier and then try to make the ascent above the pass on Day 10.

Walking distance: 10 Km. (8/9 hours) Included Services: B , B L, D , tent accommodations, guide and porter if requested.

Day 10 | Weather Day

If the previous day weather did not allow climbing Marconi Pass, we will attempt it today.

If weather was fine, we will attempt an ascent to Cerro Marconi Norte or Gorra Blanca move deeper into the Southern Patagonian Ice field.

Included Services: B , B L, D , tent accommodations, guide and porter (additional fee) if requested.

Day 11 | Paso Marconi – Fitz Roy Eco Camp

We will descend Paso Marconi into the Electrico Valley then hike along the lake to the bridge over Electrico River where a vehicle will be waiting for us to drive us back to Fitz Roy Eco Camp where we will enjoy a well earned rest!

Elevation Loss: 3500 feet or 1065 meters Included Services: B , B L, D , Fitz Roy Eco Camp (cabin or tent accommodations depending on availability), guide and porter (additional fee) if requested.

Day 12 | Return to El Chaltén Free morning for activities and lunch at Fitz Roy Eco Camp. In the afternoon you will drive to return to El Chaltén.

At the Fitz Roy Eco Camp there are a couple of optional activities with additional cost: ● Descent the De Las Vueltas River to El Chaltén in kayaks ● Ride to El Chaltén by mountain bike.

Included Services: B , B L, D , room in a hotel in El Chalten, guide.

Day 13 | Drive back to El Calafate Taxi to the bus station and take the bus to the airport in El Calafate. From here you will catch your flight home.

Included Services: B , v oucher for bus.

B = breakfast BL = box lunch D = dinner