Cerro Gorra Blanca Ascent 2860mts. (4-5 days)

Provincia de Santa Cruz -

El Chalten, Santa Cruz Argentina CERRO GORRA BLANCA ASCENT 2860MTS. (4-5 DAYS)

PROVINCIA DE SANTA CRUZ - ARGENTINA

SPECIFICATIONS  4-5 days. One extra day for bad weather.  3-4 camping nights.  Backpack weight: 20-25 kg  Level: Very Hard.

 From 2 to 8 people.  November till March.

INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED   Mountain Guide. Bus from and to .  1 Assistant every 3 people.  Personal Equipment (boots, backpack, sleeping bag, etc). You  Glacier and Snow Equipment. (snowshoes and can rent this equipment. Let us know if you need any of crampons) these items. You get a 30% discount by hiring our services.  4 season Tents (Mountain Hardwear) and cooking set.  Additional Porters.

 Meals during the trip.  Non specified in this program.

 Transfer Rio Electrio.  Tips  VHF Radio.

 GPS.  First Aid Kit. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED  Personal Accident insurance.  Backpack 60-70l.  SPOT satellite tracker.  3 pair of socks.  Shoes for wading.

 Sleeping Bag down or synthetic -15º.  Insulated Mattress.

El Chalten, Santa Cruz Chalten, El

El Chalten, Santa Cruz Chalten, El  1L Bottle.

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 Syntethic underwear top and pant. (midweight)  2 top fleeces or similar.

 Fleece pant or warm tight. 5 days)5

5 days)5  Waterproof Jacket (Gore-tex or similar). - -  Down Jacket or similar.  Hiking poles.  Sunglasses with UV protection.  Sun block and lip balm.  Waterproof Overpant (Gore-tex or similar).  Gloves (3 pairs).  Cup or similar.  Hiking Boots.

 Gaiters. Ascent (4 2860mts.  Mountaineering boots.  Neck protection.  Personal hygiene set.  Headlamp with extra batteries.  Fleece beanie or similar.

Cerro Gorra Blanca Gorra Cerro Cerro Gorra AscentBlanca Gorra Cerro (4 2860mts.

Av. Lago del desierto 250, El Chalten (9300) www.patagoniahikes.com 1 The Patagonia Ice FIield is the third biggest mass of ice in the World after Antarctica and Greenland, and the biggest if you think outside the polar surface. It extends from North to South for 350 km. 49 Glaciers begin here such us Upsala Glacier (902 km²), Marconi, Glacier, Glacier (978 km²) and Perito Moreno (258 km²) in Argentina and Pio XI, O'Higgins and Grey in . This expedition happens in one of the most overwelming and remote icy and rocky landscapes, unique in the world. A huge ice field of virgin snow surrounded by the unknown faces of the most particular massifs in Patagonia. Patagonia Hikes invites you, in only 4 days, ascent Marconi Glacier, upto the Pass, where Soto Refuge is, close to the Summit to conquer, the Gorra Blanca. From the summit we will appreciate the most amazing views of both and Fitz Roy summits almost at the same height. No previous mountain experience is required, nor technical skills in crampons and snowshoes, but you do need an excellent physical condition and hiking skills to face long hiking days, steep paths and heavy backpacks. The average weight of the pack you´ll carry is between 20 and 25kg. You can hire porters to carry 15kg off this weight.

. DAY 1: El CHALTEN –LA PLAYITA Meeting with the Guide in the morning; debrief about the details of the program and check of the gear. A transfer with pick us up to drive us to Electrico River, 24km away. We will Hike for 2 hours up to Piedra del Fraile campsite. “Piedra del Fraile” is a private campsite with services, at the edge of the forest. After getting there, the terrain is open and rockery until the next campsite (La Playita). Box Lunch and dinner.

Duration: 6 hs Elevation: 700 mts.

DAY 2: CAMPAMENTO LA PLAYITA– REFUGIO GORRA BLANCA This day is considered the key day in this expedition. Marconi Glacier is one of the accesses to the Ice

Field, and the winds from the west can be very strong.

We wake up with the first lights, and after a strong breakfast, depending on the weather condition, we

start the hike. After an hour or so we will be on the Marconi Glacier and starting to use the crampons on the ascent.

As we move forward we find the slope change where we put on harnesses and tie ourselves to ropes. With each step up behind us rises the majestic Mount Pier Giorgio, Cerro Fitz Roy, Aguja Polone. Upon

completion of the slope ahead of us opens the Icefield bordered by Cordones Kolliker, Gaea, Mariano Moreno and Volcano.

Once we arrive to camp we make ourselves comfortable and enjoy the evening watching the Cerro Fitz

Roy, Pier Giorgio, the white cap and surrounding areas. Santa Cruz Chalten, El

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All meals included.

Duration: 8 -9 hs. days)5 - Distance: 10km . Elevation: 800 mts to climb.

DÍA 3: ACENCION AL CERRO GORRA BLANCA We wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and we depart around 6am, down the glacier we surround the serac band for one hour, and head to the ridge (around 2 hours), where we´ll hike for around 3 hours up to the summit. In the Summit, we will have the best view of the Ice Field, Volcán Lautaro, Cerro Fitz Roy y Cerro Torre. We will descent the same way we climbed back to the refuge. Pensión completa All meals included. Elevation: 1300mts

AscentBlanca Gorra Cerro (4 2860mts.

Av. Lago del desierto 250, El Chalten (9300) 2 www.patagoniahikes.com DÍA 4: REFUGIO SOTO - EL CHALTEN After breakfast, we will head back on our final hike towards town, on the same direction we came

up, crossing La Playita campsite and Piedra del fraile. Breakfast and lunch.

Elevarion: 800 down. Duration: 10-12hs.

REFERENCE

TIME OF THE YEAR: from October till April.

El Chalten, Santa Cruz Chalten, El Santa Cruz Chalten, El | |

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D. SCALE: Very Hard. GROUP: from 2 to 8 people.

FULL MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, 5 days)5

5 days)5 box lunch and Dinner. - - This difficulty scale is the physical, technical and psychological demand that Involves each activity. This scale is divided into 5 categories:

Easy: Marked trails, elevations up to 400mts. 3 to 6 hour hikes. Intermediate: Easy walk with elevations between 400-900mts, 4 to 8 hours hikes. Demanding: Less stable terrain, it could involve semi- technical field. Elevations between 400-1000mts. 6-9hs hikes. 15 to 20 kg Backpacks.

Hard: Semi- technical and technical terrains, elevation from 600-1500mts, 6- 10 hs hikes 20-25kg backpacks. Ascent (4 2860mts.

Very Hard: Technical terrain, strong elevations and long hiking journeys with heavy backpacks. It requires previous mountain experience.

WEATHER IN PATAGONIA

It´s important to take into account, that the weather in El Chalten is very unstable. This expedition counts with two extra Cerro Gorra Blanca Gorra Cerro Cerro Gorra AscentBlanca Gorra Cerro (4 2860mts. days to improve the odds of success. Waiting, continuing, or suspending decision will be on our Mountain Guide criteria.

Av. Lago del desierto 250, El Chalten (9300) www.patagoniahikes.com 3