SOUTHERN PATAGONIAN ICE FIELD

El Chaltén - Patagonia

We invite you to take part in an incomparable experience. Venture into the frozen plains of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, push your limits by participating in an expedition in one of the wildest corners of the planet, with ever-changing weather conditions, sometimes extreme, and breathtaking landscapes.

The Experiences
- Ascent to the Marconi Pass.
- Walk across the glacial plain of the Southern Ice Field.
- Camp in front of the Cirque of the Altars with views of the western faces of the Torre and Fitz Roy mountain ranges, as well as the Mariano Moreno range to the west.
- An incredible variety of changing landscapes every day. 

Day 1: Arrival in El Chaltén and Informational Meeting
The day before is very important for the success of this expedition. It’s a chance to meet the guides and the rest of the participants with whom you will share more than a week in a remote environment, check your personal gear, and learn new techniques for packing your backpack. Additionally, we will review the trip plan and go over some safety concepts.
Accommodation: Night in El Chaltén.

Day 2: Río Eléctrico, Piedra del Fraile, and Laguna de los 14
Our hike begins at the Río Eléctrico Bridge, 18 kilometers from El Chaltén. We will move through the Río Eléctrico Valley, trekking through forested terrain with an impressive backdrop of rivers and mountains. After the first few hours, the geography will change dramatically. We will leave behind the wooded vegetation and enter a glacial environment with stunning views of the Fitz Roy mountain range and the Pollone Needle. Later, we will need to wade across the Pollone River, cross a zip line, and ascend a significant elevation through rugged terrain to find a camping spot near the Marconi Pass.  

Day 3: Glaciar Marconi and Campo de Hielo
Prepare for a challenging day with breathtaking views. After overcoming some rocky obstacles, we will start to see the Campo de Hielo (Ice Field). In this area, we will try to move quickly to reach the Campo de Hielo to avoid exposure to the wind. Once we connect with the ice, we’ll equip ourselves with technical gear to continue advancing with crampons and rope. As we ascend, the slope will become gentler, and we’ll find ourselves at the border between Argentina and Chile. To the west, different mountain groups start to appear scattered across the massive expanse of the Southern Ice Field, along with large crevasse complexes in areas where the slope changes. We will continue advancing until we reach the foot of Cerro Gorra Blanca, where we’ll spend the night at the Chilean Refuge.  

Day 4: Circo de los Altares
We find ourselves in a privileged location, elevated above the Campo de Hielo plains. We’ll descend gradually for several kilometers until we reach the north face of Cerro Marconi. Then, the journey continues over flat terrain with a few crevasses blocking our path. The goal is to camp in one of Patagonia’s most special places, the Circo de los Altares, at 1300 meters above sea level, right in front of Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy. With a bit of luck, we will enjoy dinner at sunset, savoring the views of these mountains from our tent.

Day 5: Refugio Paso del Viento
It’s worth waking up early to see the sun rise behind Cerro Torre. We dismantle our snow-covered camp and prepare to rope up to continue towards the Viedma Glacier and Paso del Viento. It’s a long day during which we will encounter very varied terrain: ice, crevasses, glacial debris, small lagoons, and huge moraines. Along the way, we will clearly observe the retreat of the glaciers and how they are transforming the landscape as they move. We’ll set up camp near Laguna Ferrari, just below Paso del Viento.  

Day 6: Paso del Viento, Valle del Río Túnel, Glaciar Túnel, and Laguna Toro
From our camp, we ascend continuously on a clear and steep trail to reach Paso del Viento. We stop to enjoy the view from the pass, probably buffeted by the wind. From the top of the wide pass, we leave behind the Ice Field and the western slopes of the mountains and head east towards a wide valley that leads to the Laguna Toro campsite. The day is just beginning, and we will still have to descend through a massive moraine, cross a glacier, and wade across a river before reaching the shelter of the forest.

Day 7: Loma del Pliegue Tumbado - Return to El Chaltén
We cross forests and meadows framed by Cerro Huemul and Lago Viedma, passing through Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, our final ascent. From there, with a magnificent view of Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy, we descend to the Río de las Vueltas Valley and head back to El Chaltén.

Extra Days 8 and 9
If weather conditions prevent us from completing the itinerary in the first 6 days, these extra days will be used. If conditions are favorable, these days will be spent resting at Paso Marconi, Circo de los Altares, or taking a walk around Paso del Viento.

SUMMARY

 Technical Information

Included Services
- Bilingual high-mountain guide
- Mountain assistant for every 3 participants
- Transport from El Chaltén to the starting point of the expedition
- Necessary permits
- Camping and technical equipment (tent, harness, crampons, snowshoes, rope, etc.) - All meals during the trip (7 breakfasts, 8 box lunches, 7 dinners)
- Satellite communication
- Logistic portage of food to Paso del Viento or Laguna Toro

Optional Services
-  IN/OUT accommodation
- Transfers