South America Adventure Travel
Cerro Gorra Blanca ascent
Cerro Gorra Blanca is located within the Continental Ice Cap, close to Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy peaks. Besides the Marconi Glacier, Gorra Blanca is also a border point with Chile.
Being an easier objective than its famous neighbours, Gorra Blanca rewards the climber with the stunning Ice Cap landscape while providing the challenge of ascending a peak on the mythical Patagonia.
Cerro Gorra Blanca ascent Trip Details
- Skill level: Snow slopes up to 45 degrees. Participants should be able to carry loads up to 20 kg (45 lbs) personal porters available.
- Location: Los Glaciares N.P, Patagonia Argentina
- Length: 5 days
- Climber/guide ratio: 3:1
- Capacity: 9
- Prerequisites: Excellent physical shape required. Experience on using crampons is recommended.
- Cost: $1,500
- Departure dates:
Included
-
Certified Mountain Guide (English-Spanish)
- All food when trekking/climbing
- Insurance: Liability and personal accident coverage
- Two-person four season tents
- Group technical gear (ropes, snow shovel, maps, G.P.S, compass, etc)
- Cooking gear (pots, pans, stoves, fuel, etc)
- First aid kit VHF/UHF Radio
Not included
Cerro Gorra Blanca ascent Trip Itinerary
| Day 1 |
El Chaltén. We'll take a private bus to Puente del Rio Electrico (Electric river bridge), where our expedition kicks off. We'll hike for 2 hours through Lenga and Ñires forest, passing by Piedra del Fraile hut and camping ground; our last contact with civilization for few days. Leaving the camping and forest behind, we keep hiking in a U-shaped glacier-created valley along the moraine terrain. After an hour's hike, we run into Pollone Valley where we have to wade across the Rio Pollone; sometimes this is an adventure in itself. We follow Rio Electrico to its roots: "La Playita" camp, which was once the Rio Electricos bed. We'll find rock protection for our tents. After a rest or, even better, a meal, we hike to Marconi's snout to check the next day's route. 6 hours |
| Day 2 |
Marconi Glacier. Today is the key day of the expedition. Glacier Marconi is one of the accesses to the ice cap. Most winds and weather come from west/north and funnel through 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 bare ice and rock at first. We make our way to the base of "Cambio de Pendiente" (change of gradient). We rope up, put harness and crampons on. After a section of 40 to 45 degrees and 1 hour on the ice, we reach Marconi Pass. A breath-taking view of the 3rd largest fresh-water ice mass in the world just in front of us! We appreciate Koliker Range, Lautaro Range, Gaea Range and Mariano Moreno Range. Walking 1 ½ hour mainly flat on the pass, we step into Refugio Gorra Blanca or Refugio Garcia Soto, a Chilenean Institute of Hielo Patagonico Sur Studies hut. Depending on availability, we might sleep inside or camp outside the hut. Eat, drink and sleep. 800-meter altitude gain, 14 km, 8 to 10 hours.
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| Day 3 |
Gorra Blanca. Summit day! Early wake up call. Light backpack only stuff for the day. Our goal is Gorra Blanca summit. We make our way through crevasses aiming for the west ridge. After getting on the ridge, we head east zigzagging ice mushrooms (interesting formation of ice with wind, similar to Cerro Torre summit). Our guide might fix the last pitch to the summit. If weather is good, you won't believe the view. Cautiously, head back to hut/camp to celebrate an exhilarating day out. 1200 mts. altitude gain, 8 to 12 hours depending on snow conditions and fitness of guests. |
| Day 4 |
El Chaltén. We return to El Chaltén the same way we came in. A private transfer will be waiting for us on The Rio Electrico Bridge. We drive back to town where a well-deserved shower and good meal awaits us.
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| Day 5 |
Extra day. This day will be used in case of bad weather and/or other considerations. If not used, this day could be a rest day, extra hiking day, or rock-climbing day depending on conditions and guest's choices. |
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