Climbing in Patagonia, the mere point out of this phrase conjures up a psychological picture of journey and I’m completely happy to report that in any case these years of anxious anticipation, our time spent in Patagonia didn’t disappoint.
As we’re at the moment on a mission to tackle and full the High 100 Journey Adventures within the World, we determined to lastly make a break for South America and chase a few of these adventures.
Climbing in Los Glaciares Nationwide Park in Argentine Patagonia makes the record as a result of a go to to Patagonia wouldn’t be full with out getting up shut and private with Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
The Patagonia Basecamps Trek is without doubt one of the High 100 Journey Adventures on the planet. View the record and observe our mission to finish them.
In fact, we’re not speaking about day hikes both. We’re speaking about strapping in your backpack, carrying all your personal provides and heading off on the paths into the backcountry. I firmly imagine that Patagonia is a spot with feeling, a spot with connection and when you rush via it, you’re type of lacking the purpose.
Deciding on the route that meets our standards wasn’t a straightforward activity however from the primary time, we noticed the 5 days twin basecamp trek to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre that we’d made the suitable choice to call it as a High 100 Journey Journey.
The Basecamps Trek: Backpacking Cerro Fitzroy and Cerro Torre touts towering views of the east face of Mount Fitz Roy from Laguna de los Tres, trekking to Laguna Torre and Mirador Maestri to witness the legendary Cerro Torre and Glacier Grande, zip-lining throughout the Fitz Roy River, mountain climbing over a move with vista views of Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy from the south and a full day journey to Paso del Viento to view the Viedma glacier and Southern Patagonia Ice Discipline.
Simply naming that out for you offers me goosebumps, it was a visit that was nothing in need of epic.
Full particulars on the Basecamps Trek with Mountaineering Patagonia.
Climbing in Patagonia: 5 Day Basecamps Trek
Day 1 – El Chalten, Argentina
In a single day: Hostel Patagonia
We’d already been in Patagonia for 3 days, utilizing El Calafate as a base to recuperate from our lengthy haul flight from the USA. We additionally couldn’t miss visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier.
El Calafate hosts the areas solely airport, so if you wish to hike Fitz Roy, you’ll doubtless be routed via there earlier than leaping on a bus to make the 3-hour journey north to El Chalten.
Our day began early, a 5 am alarm clock adopted by a 7 am decide up earlier than we have been on our solution to El Chalten.
Apart from being a journey day, we’d even be arriving on the Patagonia Hostel to fulfill the remainder of the hikers in our group and the crew from Mountaineering Patagonia that will be guiding us via the backcountry for the subsequent 6 days.
We spent the afternoon exploring El Chalten earlier than our assembly, which was far more than only a meet and greets.
We had a full briefing of the place we might be going, the place we might be tenting, how the times would go and precisely how we should always pack.
We had our preliminary gear examine and have been instructed to depart room for our share of meals and workforce provides. There could be no porters and all of us needed to carry our provides for the 5-day trek.
We left the assembly in good spirits and assured we have been within the good palms of the workforce at Mountaineering Patagonia.
Day 2 – El Chalten to Laguna de los Tres
7-8 hours with 700m elevation acquire
In a single day: Poincenot Camp
Beginning our day with a incredible breakfast on the Hostel Patagonia, we then returned to our room to complete packing our backpacks. We additionally organized our bigger baggage to depart behind on the hostel for our return.
The morning was busy with everybody buzzing within the foyer, sorting via group provides, meals and rearranging their packs to suit.
We wouldn’t begin our trek from El Chalten, as an alternative, we might board a bus and make the 17km journey to the Lodge El Pilar.
By taking this route, you not solely get the wonderful views alongside the Rio Blanco Valley but in addition have a much less strenuous begin to the journey.
The path has solely a slight uphill acquire to it however is comparatively flat till you attain the basecamp of Fitz Roy.
With all of the adrenaline and pleasure within the air, it was straightforward to set off with out actually noticing the load of the packs and an hour or extra simply handed earlier than I even thought in regards to the weight, which was roughly 30 kilos.
I used to be in absolute awe from the second we stepped out of the van and we had a stunning climate day as well.
It’s not typically you’ll be able to say you’ve visited Patagonia and been handled to a sunny, no wind day with clear skies. Our guides shed their layers proper all the way down to t-shirts, that’s how good it was.
In fact, this meant we stopped greater than the common particular person as a result of none of us might move up the photograph alternatives alongside the path.
Arriving into the Poincenot camp at Fitz Roy Basecamp, we felt contemporary and elated.
Having made good time, our group opted to arrange camp and settle in earlier than making the steep trek as much as Laguna de los Tres for the enduring views of Fitz Roy and the turquoise swimming pools.
This a part of the path is an actual exercise with a steep climb. Whereas the start begins out gradual from the Poincenot Camp, when you begin reaching the highest the path deteriorates shortly and turns into virtually a scramble.
It’s advisable to deliver mountain climbing poles for this a part of the hike that will help you stabilize on the customarily frozen path.
As soon as we reached the highest we have been dissatisfied to search out the primary lagoon was fully frozen and coated in snow.
This was not the picture of Fitz Roy that I used to be anticipating, even though we had a stunning day and will see the mountain so clearly. A bit bummed, Merlin, our Mountaineering Patagonia information, instructed we descend towards the lake and climb the adjoining hill.
At this level, we have been sloughing alongside in knee-deep snow, laughing about our luck and heading for one more climb.
What we didn’t know, was on the high of that adjoining hill was a view of one other lake that a lot to our shock, was thawed and open.
The sensation of pleasure over this discovery can’t be put in phrases. After pondering we’d missed an opportunity to see the enduring view, all was made proper with the additional effort of climbing the second hill.
We lingered for the higher a part of an hour, taking footage and celebrating a second that we’d anticipated since we booked this trek within the Spring.
In fact, all good issues should come to an finish and we needed to beat the onset of sundown again to camp. Heading again down the identical path we navigated on the climb up wasn’t a lot simpler.
There have been even parts of the path I needed to squat all the way down to keep away from slipping however I’m completely happy to report we made it again to camp properly earlier than sundown.
It was good to reach again to an already arrange camp. This meant we might collect round for tales and sizzling drinks close to the cook dinner tent.
Patagonia has a strict rule of no fires in Nationwide Park areas, so we went with no campfire however the ambiance was effective with out one.
The Poincenot Camp is snug with nice tree protection for blocking wind. It’s situated close to to a clear water supply and has a protracted drop rest room.
Day 3 – Poincenot Camp to Laguna Torre
5-6 hours with 400m elevation acquire
In a single day: De Agostini Camp
Regardless of eager to squeeze each minute of sleep from the evening, we opted to rise up early for dawn.
Our luck with the climate the day earlier than, and an optimistic forecast, meant we might have an opportunity for clear skies because the solar rose over Mount Fitz Roy. I like to sleep, however how might we probably miss that chance?
Pleased to report that we didn’t and the dawn was wonderful. Returning to camp we loved breakfast earlier than repacking our backpacks and tearing down our tents.
We had some floor to cowl and far to our luck the climate was on our aspect for one more sunny, clear sky day. It was fairly unreal to have 2 days in a row of excellent climate.
The hike between Poincenot Camp and De Agostini Camp took us round 3 hours together with a cease for an early lunch. To say the views are beautiful doesn’t do it justice.
Simply after leaving camp we might inform it was going to be good and looking out again on the path we have been passing afforded us probably the most wonderful views of Fitz Roy and the encompassing space.
The paths on this part are properly marked and simple to observe, a variety of day hikers come as much as Laguna de los Tres after which make the loop over to Laguna Torre, so this space is not any stranger to hikers.
Coming into a piece of the path with marshy areas, we welcomed the sight of a wood walkway to raise us out of the water. Simply so occurs it’s in probably the most picturesque a part of the path.
Apart from the photograph stops, we made good time, arriving at De Agostini Camp simply after lunch. With time on our aspect we opted to arrange camp once more and settle in earlier than taking up a 3-hour return hike to Mirador Maestri.
This hike takes you up a tall glacier-formed financial institution that creates a lip across the Laguna Torre.
Strolling alongside this lip is pretty straightforward when you attain the highest and give you unparalleled views of Cerro Torre and the Glacier Grande on a transparent day. Should you can imagine it we discovered ourselves having fun with one other t-shirt lovely day in Patagonia with no wind.
The most important danger on this hike is sustaining your footing so that you don’t go tumbling down the aspect into the iceberg littered Laguna Torre. It’s arduous to maintain your eyes on the path with the views you get on this spot, so I like to recommend warning on the very best stage.
Security apart, it’s a shocking solution to spend the afternoon with views that rival the bottom of Cerro Fitz Roy. The path alongside the lip takes you all the best way to the official Cerro Torre basecamp, an iconic camp that’s used solely by folks making makes an attempt to summit the insanely technical mountain.
It’s actually one thing to face in a spot the place nice climbers have stood whereas marveling on the views that encompass you. It’s a sense we are able to solely evaluate to the basecamp of Mount Everest.
The De Agostini Camp is gorgeous, situated simply on the banks of a contemporary glacier-fed river. The campsites have nice tree safety from wind, rain and wooden department boundaries have been constructed to maintain the wind off your tents.
Day 4 – De Agostini Camp to Laguna Toro
6-7 hours with 800m elevation acquire
In a single day: Laguna Toro Camp
Right this moment would show to be probably the most difficult but enjoyable day on the trek. We set the alarms once more for a dawn; we might have been fools to not do it as we got one other lovely morning with sunshine, barely any clouds and no wind.
Having captured the primary mild on Cerro Torre, we headed again to camp for breakfast after which broke down camp. We had a protracted day forward of us and we began transferring earlier than 9 am.
Making our manner again in the direction of Laguna Torre, we headed down in the direction of the Fitz Roy River in the wrong way of the lake hike we did the day earlier than.
It was upon arriving on the river that we ready for our first of a number of adventures that day, a zipline crossing.
Guides should carry all the gear wanted to cross the road as a result of the place we have been going they don’t need day hikers. The zipline is a barrier of entry and when you don’t have the gear to cross it, you don’t go.
This made it thrilling as we despatched our packs throughout the river one after the other after which lined as much as take our flip throughout.
In fact, this isn’t just like the attraction ziplines that use gravity and angles to maneuver you, on this zipline we needed to pull ourselves throughout through the use of the hand over hand methodology on the road.
As soon as the group was throughout we stated goodbye to Laguna Torre and began our trek to Pliegue Tumbado the place we might summit the Paso de Las Agachonas. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than we began our climb.
Surprisingly, it took us via a closely wooded space earlier than the ‘path’ started to ascend at a really steep fee via thick forest.
For me, this was probably the most troublesome a part of the day. The route was steep and obstructed by tree roots and brush.
I are inclined to climb slowly in any case however the added impediment course set me behind the group for the primary half of the climb. Gradual and regular was the secret and it wasn’t too lengthy earlier than we stopped for a relaxation.
It’s wonderful what you’ll be able to accomplish if you simply put your head down and push via.
From the remainder cease, we made the final push to the summit of the Agachonas Move and have been awarded unbelievable views of Cerro Torre, Mount Fitz Roy, Laguna Torre and Glacier Grande beneath us.
We critically felt like we have been standing on high of the world and have been all elated with our feat.
With the wonderful climate, one other unbelievable day with out wind, we made the mutual choice to have lunch on high of the move earlier than descending down the opposite aspect of Pliegue Tumbado en path to Laguna Toro. That lunch cease simply makes the highest 5 finest lunch stops of my life record.
Leaving was a wrestle however we knew we had extra floor to cowl and this time it wasn’t with out strapping on some gators.
October is the start of the trekking season in Patagonia, that means the parks open and the paths are open to hikers, nonetheless, this doesn’t imply the move routes shall be away from snow but.
It wasn’t lengthy after leaving the move that we encountered blankets of snow throughout the aspect of the mountain. We trudged via, oftentimes entering into sinking areas that dropped us into the snow as much as our waist.
Fortunately we had the solar on our aspect so as an alternative of being depressing we loved taking part in within the snow alongside the best way.
As soon as out of the snow it was one other 20 minutes of downhill earlier than we stepped into the Rio Tunel Valley and commenced a protracted flat stroll to the Laguna Toro Campsite.
The stroll was principally alongside a path main via thick brush space and over a few streams earlier than ending in an eerie campsite set inside stripped bushes and enormous rocky hills.
Exhausted from the lengthy day we shortly claimed a campsite, arrange camp and headed for the cook dinner tent for a a lot wanted sizzling drink.
Dinner was a welcomed sight as we sat across the tent sharing journey tales and reminiscing in regards to the day.
We didn’t linger and everybody headed to mattress early in anticipation of our route for the subsequent day, the notorious Paso del Viento.
The Laguna Toro Camp is sort of distant and set in an space that has an eerie really feel to it. The realm may be very infamous for winds, so folks have gone to some effort to pile up excessive partitions round every tent web site.
It has a protracted drop rest room and a spring in camp. We have been the one folks tenting there throughout our trek.
Day 5 – Laguna Toro Camp to Paso del Viento
7-8 hours with 900m elevation acquire
In a single day: Laguna Toro Camp
What was to be our most distant and adventurous day was the day the infamous climate of Patagonia caught up with us. Lastly. After having fun with probably the most wonderful 4 days of climate, the wind and rain joined the get together.
Underneath regular circumstances, we wouldn’t hesitate to hike in these circumstances, however when your information tells you that the winds are too robust to danger it, you’re taking discover.
He informed us that within the present circumstances, we’d doubtless need to crawl our manner as much as some difficult components of that path.
Merlin and his workforce are skilled mountaineers who’ve been guiding in Patagonia for 20 years. Once they let you know it isn’t secure to make a climb, you pay attention. So for us, this meant a day pinned down within the Laguna Toro Camp.
After breakfast, we hiked out from camp to the shores of Laguna Toro so we might all get a style of what Patagonia may be like when the winds are roaring.
Leaving the safety of the bushes in camp, the wind gusts grew to become obvious instantly but didn’t really feel as robust as we had anticipated.
It wasn’t till we bought to the shore of Laguna Toro that we felt the true drive of Patagonia. I’ve by no means earlier than stood in wind so robust that I couldn’t raise my foot with out being blown sideways.
There have been instances I used to be strolling on the seashore and a gust would are available in so quick it will transfer me simply 6 ft or extra from the place I used to be strolling.
The wind was no joke and we have been grateful to have an skilled information with us to advise towards the move try.
As we stood there longer we might really feel the air constructing round us and as if on cue, the glacier from the mountains launched a gale drive of wind throughout the lake proper at us.
All of us turned to face the wind and leaned into it because it howled round us. There have been instances our our bodies have been at 45-degree angles to the bottom and but we didn’t fall.
Laughing about our brush with the windy forces of Patagonia we returned to camp for a day of napping, dialog, and consuming.
It was a reasonably laid again day and regardless of our disappointment within the change of plans, we have been completely happy to have skilled considered one of Patagonia’s most infamous faces.
Day 6 – Laguna Toro to El Chalten
5-6 hours with 400m elevation acquire
In a single day: Hostel Patagonia
As if the day earlier than had by no means occurred we awoke to a different lovely, sunny day. In disbelief of our luck, we ate breakfast shortly and commenced packing up camp.
It was our final day on the path and we’d be spending the vast majority of the day strolling our manner again to El Chalten.
Leaving Laguna Toro Camp we headed again out the best way we got here via the thick brush and hopping throughout streams.
After we got here to the bottom of Pliegue Tumbado we reminisced about our descent from the move a number of days prior and this time headed alongside the bottom of the mountain.
When you can’t go flawed with the views in Patagonia, this was the least thrilling day of the trek view smart.
A lot of the hike out is thru open areas of marshland earlier than turning into closely wooded beech forests and descending down into El Chalten.
The most effective view of the day got here after we left the bottom of Pliegue Tumbado and approached a shocking view over Lago Viedma. We have been fortunate sufficient to take pleasure in a lunch cease right here with a number of Condors flying overhead.
As a lot as I needed to remain, I used to be actually wanting ahead to a change of garments, a sizzling bathe, and a beer.
With all endings, the thrill constructed because the city got here into view and we powered via the final a part of the hike, swaggering into city like a band of backcountry survivalists.
We’d performed it. We’d crossed one other High 100 Journey Journey off the record and had one hell of an journey within the course of.
Climbing in Patagonia Suggestions
Our 5 days of trekking in Patagonia was all the things we might have hoped for and a lot extra. We had a incredible group, two of probably the most skilled guides in Patagonia and wonderful climate. It actually doesn’t get a lot better than that.
Plainly many individuals have a tendency to go in the direction of Torres del Paine when planning journeys to Patagonia however after being in Los Glaciares, I believe they need to rethink.
Granted, we haven’t been to Torres del Paine, but, however the attraction of much less crowded trails will name to an adventurer and you may get that in Argentina.
We all know we’ll be again and we intend to hike the W and O trails in Torres del Paine too. Should you like true backcountry adventures then hook up with Merlin at Mountaineering Patagonia and put together for the journey of a lifetime.
