The Patagonian Ice cap, also called the Patagonian Ice field is the largest non polar ice on earth, and the third glacier mass in size after Antarctica and Greenland. It has an average height of 4.500ft, covering valleys between the mountain chains, whose tops rise above the frozen plains.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome in El Chalten the base town of the Patagonian Ice cap traverse. Check the gear.
Day 2: We start the morning hiking to Piedra del Fraile, according go weather we keep hiking to La Playita of Lago Electrico.
Day 3: Weather permitting we'll continue on the way to Lago Eléctrico (possible campground), and going up to the Marconi pass (1500m a/s/l) through the Marconi Glacier. This will be a key day of the trip, the most extraneous hike and heavy load to carry. On a clear day the views of Fitz Roy, Piergiorgio and Pollone are magnificent! Elevation gain = 900m. Hiking time= 8-9 hs. Bivuac on the ice field trekking.
Day 4: We'll continue heading south through the plateau, using the snowshoes and snow sledges until we'll reach the "Circo de los Altares", unique west views of Cerros Torre and Fitz Roy. We'll build a wind shield with shovels, to protect our tents. And we'll melt snow to cook and drink water. Hiking time: 6 hs.
Day 5: We'll continue walking with the snowshoes through the Viedma Glacier, until we'll come back to the lateral moraine, going out of the ice cap. Today we'll camp at Ferrari's bivouac, near the Ferrari Lake. Hiking time: 7-8 hs. Continental ice field transverse - Argentina.
Day 6: We'll climb up to the "Paso del Viento" (the windy pass) about 1550m a/s/l and 400m elevation gain. And we'll go down to the Tunel valley; with a possible tyrolean traverse crossing over the Río Tunel. Finishing the day back at the forest, at Laguna Toro campground.
Day 7: We'll hike back to El Chalten through an easy trail. Possible views of both Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre from the "Pliegue Tumbado".
Hiking time: 6 hs; elevation gain 500m.
Days 8-9-10: Extra days in case of bad weather conditions at the beginning of the trip. It's needed a reasonable good day to go up to the Marconi Pass. Or spend the extra days at others campgrounds. Mont Fitz Roy, Patagonia Argentina.
Day 11: End of the services
Requirements and advices:
This is one of the most scenic, complete and demanding treks in Patagonia. It's not required technical experience, but we request camping and trekking experience, and you must be self sufficient setting camps and cooking your meals. You should be able to carry a backpack with around 50 pounds; and hike 6 to 8 hours a day through different terrains as trails, moraines, glaciers and snow; for about a week in total. The spare days will be utilized in case of bad weather to continue the trek, or taking an alternative program.
Patagonia ice cap hiking and trekking Weather conditions: During this trek, you should expect all kind of climes; sun, rain, perhaps some snow, and a lot of wind!! The temperature during the summer is usually between 5 and 10 centigrades.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Proffessional Mountain Guide and assistant (1:4/3 ratio)
- Transportation to Rio Electrico from Chalten
- Transportation from Bahia Tunel to Chalten
- Meals during the expedition
- Lodging (9 nights in camps and 2 nights in double bedded room with private bath in Chalten)
- General Gear: tents, stoves, cookware, snowshoes, crampons, harness, rope, shovel, first aid kit, radio contact, GPS, snow sledges
Price Excludes:
- International and domestic airfares
- Transportation Chalten - Calafate - Chalten (optional)
- Horses and porters
- Personal gear (skis, clothing, sleeping bag and therm-a-rest)
- Extra drinks
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Argentina
Hiking & Trekking
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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