Patagonia 2 Summits

Climbing Cerro Solo & Gorra Blanca


During this trip we’ll ascend to two classic peaks in Patagonia: Cerro Solo and Gorra Blanca, each one of them a challenge in itself. Long hikes through Nothofagus forest, glacier travel and steep ice-snow sections will take us to incredible lookouts. Climbing in front of the 3 main natural wonders in the area, Cerro Torre, Cerro Fitz Roy and the Southern Patagonian ice field, provides an amazing setting.


Patagonia 2 Summits Trip Details

  • Skill level: Snow slopes up to 45 degrees. Roped glacier traveling. Loads up to 40 pounds
  • Location: Los Glaciares N.P, Patagonia Argentina
  • Length: 12 days
  • Climber/guide ratio: 2:1
  • Capacity: 6
  • Prerequisites: Excellent physical shape required. Experience on using crampons is recommended.
  • Cost: US $3,100
  • Departure dates
    • On request from October to April
Included
  • Certified Mountain Guides (English-Spanish)
  • All food when trekking/climbing
  • All the restaurant meals at El Chalten (drinks not included)
  • All camping and cooking gear
  • Three Hotel nights
  • Satellite phone service. Communication equipment.
  • Private ground transportation during the trip
  • Group technical gear (ropes, snow shovel, maps, G.P.S, compass, etc)
  • US assistance before and during the trip
  • AMG cap and T-shirt
Not included

Patagonia 3 Summits Trip Itinerary



Day 1 Buenos Aires - El Calafate. We’ll be waiting for you in the airport, and then we’ll take a 4 ½-hour private bus drive to El Chaltén. This day we’ll travel towards the mountains passing by big turquoise glacier lakes like Lago Argentino and Lago Viedma. Hotel Check and dinner.
Day 2 D'Agostini camp. Wake up in the youngest town in Argentina (est. 1985) and start moving after a good breakfast; 2 ½ hour hike to D'Agostini Camp, at the base of Cerro Torre. A lot of climbing history surrounds us! World-class climbers have attempted these mountains since 1930.
Day 3 Glacier Torre. Leave D'Agostini Camp towards Glacier Grande, mostly known as Glacier Torre. We go through ice techniques, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, rope management, etc. Most guests know these techniques, however it'll be a good refresher. In addition, running this refresher course on the best ice playground in the world is definitely an add-on!
Day 4 Cerro Solo Camp. Break down camp, travel light with food for two days; move camp to the foot of Cerro Solo. After a Tyrolean crossing (zip line with pulley over the river) of the Fitz Roy river, we mainly hike/scramble on rock terrain. We may find some short roping sections where use of hands is welcome. Surrounded with spectacular views we pitch camp at the foot of Cerro Solo's lower glacier.
Day 5 Cerro Solo. Summit day. On a 30/35 degree mixed, scree and snow terrain, we get to a glacier bottleneck, where the upper glacier joins the lower glacier. A short section of 45 degrees with a very nice bergshrunt to go over! Then one more push to the summit! From here you’ll be able to see all the main ranges: Cerro Torre, Las Adelas, south face of Fitz Roy, and the Hielo Continental with Mariano Moreno range. Back to High Camp.
Day 6 El Chalten. Back to El Chalten, to enjoy a good dinner and our Hotel comfort.
Day 7 El Chalten. Rest day.
Day 8 Rio Electrico. This day we’ll drive to Electrico’s bridge, from where we’ll start hiking to our first camp at “La Playita” (5 hours).
Day 9 Glaciar Marconi. With food for 3 days we head to Glacier Marconi. This glacier is one of the accesses to the ice cap. Most winds and weather come from west/north and phenol trough passes like this one. Therefore, weather/wind permitting, we get up early, have breakfast and break down camp. We get on Marconi Glacier, a combination of bear ice and rock at first. We make our way to the base of “Cambio de Pendiente” (sloped change referring to angle) Rope up, put harness and crampon on. After a section of 40 to 45 degrees an 1 hour on the ice, we reach Marconi Pass. A breath taking view of the 3rd largest fresh ice mass of fresh water in the world. We appreciate Koliker Range, Lautaro Range, Gaea Range and Mariano Moreno Range. Eat, drink and sleep. 800-meter altitude gain, 14 km, 8 to 10 hours.
Day 10 Gorra Blanca. Summit day! Early wake up call. Light backpacks, only stuff for the day. Our goal is Gorra Blanca summit. We make our way trough seracs and crevasses aiming the west ridge. After getting on the ridge, we head east zig zagging ice mushroom (interesting formation of ice with wind, similar to Gargoyles on Robson). Our guide might fix the last pitch to the summit. If weather is good, you won’t believe the view. Head back to hut/camp to celebrate the nice day out. 1200 altitude gain, 8 to 12 hours depending on snow conditions and fitness of guests.
Day 11 El Chalten. Break down camp and head down to Piedra del Fraile. After a brief stop, we keep going for two more hours through Lenga and Ñires forest reaching Rio Electrico bridge,from where we’ll drive to El Chalten; hotel, hot showers (again!) and great dinner just ahead.
Day 12 El Calafate. Drive back to the airport for your flight home. End of the program.

Restaurant meals included: day 1 (D), day 6 (D), day 7 (L,D) and day 11(D).
Hotel includes breakfast.

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