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CONTINENTAL ICE FIELDS

Itinerary

The Patagonian Southern 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 1500masl. 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 taking us along paths in forests, stony areas and glaciers, walking through rivers, crossing with ropes (Tyrolean), trekking with crampons and/or snow shoes, circling Mounts Fitz Roy and Torre. It is without a doubt one of the most exciting treks in the world.

Day 1

Meet the Mountain Guide to go through equipment and final checks of the programme.

  • Overnight: hotel
  • Meals: Dinner
Day 2

Transfer to the departure point for the expedition – the Eléctrico River Bridge ( 15 Km from El Chaltén). Trek for 2 hours through a thick forest of lengas until reaching Piedra del Fraile camp ground (private). After a short break, the trek continues along the old glacial valley of the Eléctrico River and then we cross the Pollone River.  Having traversed various different rocky terrains over a 3 hour period we arrive at the camp of “ La Playita” (the little beach), on the northern edge of the Eléctrico Lake.

  • Overnight: tents
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Snack and Dinner
  • Distance: 12 km.
  • Time hiking: 6 hrs.
  • Elevation change: 50 mts.
Day 3

Ascent to Paso (Pass) Marconi (1550masl), the port of entry to the Continental Ice Field. To cross 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. This is an important day of the expedition as we do need good weather to be able to reach the Pass.

We set camp up at Campamento “Paso Marconi” at the spot where the glacier meets the ice field and it’s a flatter area. A fantastic location for great views of the Mounts Fitz Roy, Pier Giorgio and Gorra Blanca.

  • Overnight: tents
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Snack and Dinner
  • Distance: 12 km.
  • Time hiking: 8 hrs.
  • Elevation change: 800 mts.
Day 4

Trek to Campamento “Circo de Los Altares” (Circle of the Altars) (1350 masl); with the possibility of getting close to the West face of the mythical Mount Torre and the fabulous Fitz Roy. This has to be one of the most impressive views within the National Park Los Glaciares.

  • Overnight: tents (on the ice field)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Snack and Dinner
  • Distance: 10 km.
  • Time hiking: 8 hrs.
  • Elevation change: 100 mts.
Day 5

Walk 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). Walking today will be on a rocky terrain on the lateral moraine of Viedma Glacier.

  • Overnight: tents
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Snack and Dinner
  • Distance: 20 km.
  • Time hiking: 8/10 hrs.
  • Elevation change: 500 mts.
Day 6

Today we climb up to Paso del Viento ( Windy Pass) (1550 masl), and then descend 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 by a Tyrolean rope. Last camp of the expedition at ¨Laguna Toro¨.

  • Overnight: tents
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Snack and Dinner
  • Distance: 8 km.
  • Time hiking: 6/8 hrs.
  • Elevation change: 500 mts.
Day 7

Trek to El Chaltén along the Túnel River Valley, passing the western slopes of Mount Pliegue Tumbado, which offers one of the best views of the valley of the Fitz Roy River and the valley of Mount Torre. We will walk across exposed areas, prairies and through forest areas.

  • Overnight: hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
  • Distance: 15 km.
  • Time hiking: 6 hrs.
  • Elevation change: 250 mts.
Day 8-9
Reserve days in case of bad weather conditions.
Day 10
The group departs. End of our services.

Map

Details

  • 1 Receptive day, briefing, equipment check, etc
  • 6 days of trekking
  • 2 reserve days incase of bad weather
  • 1 departure day and transfer to FTE
  • Total: 10(ten) days for the whole expedition

Includes

  • Mountain Guide (AAGM/EPGAMT – APN) and assistant (Ratio: 1-3)
  • Technical equipment for glaciers (crampons, harness, rope, helmet, etc)
  • Group equipment (tents, cooking equipment, etc)
  • All meals throughout the trekç
  • Lodging in hotel including breakfast (2 nights)
  • Transfer in a minibus or 4x4 from El Chaltén to Río Eléctrico
  • Entrance to private property (Piedra del Fraile)
  • Tourist Activity Permission from the P.N.L.G.

Equipment Provided

  • Expedition tents
  • Cooking equipment
  • Snow shoes
  • CramponsHarnessRopes and safety equipment
  • ShovelsSledges Comprehensive First Aid Kit
  • VHF Radio
  • GPS (Global Positioning System)

Services Not included

  • Additional porters
  • InsuranceAlcoholic and fizzy drinks are not included with lunch or dinner; only juice
  • TipsPersonal mountain equipment (see list of suggestions)
  • Anything else not specified

Group size  

  • 2 to 9 people

Suggested personal Equipment

  • 90-litre back pack
  • Expedition sleeping bag ( -15ºC /0ºF).800 Gr. (Down would be the best)
  • Bed mat (e.g. Therma-rest)
  • Plastic expedition boots (e.g. Koflach)
  • Trekking boots (lightweight) 
  • 2 pairs thick socks (synthetic)
  • Thermal trousers (synthetic)
  • Waterproof trousers (e.g. Gore-Tex or Ultrex)
  • Long sleeved tops (synthetic)
  • Fleece - Polar 100 and 200
  • Anorak with hood (e.g. Gore-Tex)
  • Gaiters
  • Warm gloves
  • Waterproof gloves
  • Telescopic walking poles
  • Warm hat
  •  Hat to protect against the sun
  • Sunglasses with UV filter (and a spare pair or goggles – ski style)
  • Sun block and lip protection
  • 1l. Water bottle e.g. Nalgene
  • Wide adhesive tape/ anti-blister kit
  • Small ablutions kit
  • Swiss Army Knife
  • Head torch (with spare batteries)
  • Neckerchief (e.g. Buff)

What do we request of you?

  • Good level of fitness and willing to carry a rucksack of about 20/25kg
  • Experience in trekking and camping
  • Proactive attitude and happy to work as part of a team
  • No technical experience is necessary

Equipment & Logistics

  • Technical, safety and camp equipment will be provided.
  • The client can hire porters or extra horses locally for transporting equipment.
  • Throughout the expedition, all meals will be provided by Walk Patagonia. 

Climate

The climate in this area is very unstable and unpredictable. Therefore a certain amount of flexibility must be permitted in the proposed programme.  2 extra days are forecasted in the programme in order to carry out the expedition.

These days will be used at the discretion of the Mountain Guide for activities or relax days.

Note: Any change to the programme, for the security of the group, will be an unarguable decision made by the Mountain Guide.

Ades Movistar Gore-Tex ansilta CEBÉALCOPierobonAAAVyTACONCAGUA TREK SRL by Acontravel EVT
Leg. 13.910 EXP-STN N° 94/08
Barcala 484 - Ciudad de Mendoza - (5500) Argentina
Tel/fax (+ 54 261) - 4295007 / E-mail: info@aconcaguatrek.com