Patagonia Ice Cap Explorer

This innovative ski-touring expedition crosses the remote central part of the Southern Patagonian ice cap to make ascents of several of the region’s highest peaks. We are offering a very different and considerably more challenging itinerary than the very short 'Ice-cap trail' packaged and offered by some other companies. In the middle of a 16,000 square kilometre ice cap at the other end of the world we will certainly be escaping from the crowds.

These walks are very easy and mainly through forests so we should be able to relax, enjoy some sunshine and soak up the incredible Patagonian scenery. We then begin the expedition in earnest by walking under the spectacular north side of Fitzroy and crossing the Paso Marconi onto the main ice cap. Our first aim will be a ski ascent of Gorra Blanca 2860m on the edge of the ice-cap. We will then ski west to Cerro Moreno 3505m which we will also attempt to climb. The total distance travelled on skis will be approximately 80km. After twelve days on the ice cap we will leave by the rocky Paso del Viento and return to Chalten village for some well earned steaks and wine! Expedition members should be familair with ski touring equipment and techniques. This expedition is suitable for both alpine and nordic ski touring equipment. Previous mountaineering and wilderness camping experience is also highly recommended.

Outline Itinerary

High Adventure and Andes

This expedition is being operated by the UK based South American specialists ‘Andes’. Over a ten year period ‘Andes’ have built a reputation for leading high quality trekking and climbing adventures to all the major mountain ranges of South America. This project will benefit from the expert logistical support of ‘Andes’ in the UK and Argentina and will be led on the mountain by David Hamilton the owner of High Adventure. David will be visting South America for the third time having led successful expeditions to the continent in 1994 and 1999. During his 1994 journey he travelled on the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap and climbed Gorra Blanca.


Los Glaciares National Park

Los Glaciares in Argentina is one of the most scenically impressive national parks in South America. There are numerous spectacular mountains rising above the immense Lago Viedma, including FitzRoy 3405m and Cerro Torre 3128m. The latter is such a steep and difficult granite needle that its summit was not climbed until 1974. In the beech forests and grasslands of the lower parts of the park there is plenty of wildlife. We may see rheas, guanacos, maras, armadillos and numerous bird species as we hike to the mountain viewpoints and walk to and from the ice-cap Our 'warm-up' programme in the Los Glaciares National Park will include several short walks, including an half day walk to Laguna Torre at the foot of Cerro Torre and a days walk to one of the viewpoints on the east side of Fitzroy such as the Laguna de los Tres.

The Southern Patagonian Ice Cap

Glaciers are also a prominent feature of the Los Glaciares national park and the park extends to include the eastern side of the Hielo Patagonico Sur (South Patagonian Ice-cap). This is the larger of the two Patagonian ice-caps and the third largest ice-sheet in the world after the Greenland and Antarctic ice-sheets. The ice-sheet is 300km from north to south and averages 50km wide. The total area is approximately the size of Wales. Several crossings of the ice-cap have been made from east to west and north to south. Shipton was a great pioneer of these explorations in the 1960's and his books make good reading if you are interested in this itinerary.

Cerro Moreno and Gorra Blanca

The two peaks we plan to attempt are not often climbed, mainly due to their isolation. Cerro Moreno in particular is a remote and unusual peak to climb. All parties have approached Moreno on skis during the southern hemisphere summer. Both peaks are relatively straightforward ascents (Alpine F or PD). Cerro Moreno 3505m lies 20km west of Cerro Torre was first climbed in 1958. It did not receive a second ascent until 1980. It is a mountain that is still climbed probably only once or twice each year. We will use sledges to pull loads to a high camp at about 2000m on the NW slopes of the peak. The shapely Gorra Blanca 2860m lies above Paso Marconi and some 20km N of Fitzroy and receives several ascents each year as it is a bit more accessible. There are spectacular views of Fitzroy and Cerro Torre from the summit and the descent from near the summit on skis was one of the highlights of last year’s ice-cap trip.

Buenos Aries

We may have a short time to spend sightseeing in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, at the start and/or the end of the expedition (depending on flight schedules). Although one of the largest cities in South America, and indeed the world, central Buenos Aires is a pleasant place to stroll around in with many wide avenues, pavement cafes and quiet parks. There are the usual assortment of churches, palaces and museums to be found in any capital city. There are some exceptionally good steak restaurants. It has a warm and pleasant climate in November. We can arrange short extensions for anyone who wants to spend a few nights in Buenos Aires on the way home.

Rio Gallegos and El Calafate

Rio Gallegos is a major port and communication centre in southern Patagonia. We will fly here from Buenos Aires. Like many cities in the new world it looks a bit like it was built yesterday and designed to last only until tomorrow, but being so far from home there is always something interesting to see. El Calafate, near the Los Glaciares National Park, is a much smaller village and tourist centre set on the shores of beautiful Lago Argentino. We'll have some time to rest here after our trip on to the icecap and enjoy the excellent local steaks and wine. There are also several optional sightseeing trips that can be made for those who wish to remain active, including boat trips on Lago Argentino and the famous Perito Moreno glacier.

If you want a holiday with endless hot sunny days we're afraid southern Patagonia is not the best place to go! However it does get its fair share of good weather between periods of rain or snow and strong winds. Rainfall and temperatures in the valleys around Chalten are basically similar to those at home during summer. Out on the ice-cap at 1000-1500m altitude it can be hot during the day in the sun, or it can be cold, cloudy and windy. On the ice it is usually cool or even frosty at night. We are likely to get some strong winds and fresh snow from time to time and we will probably have at least one day stormbound.

On this type of expedition there are inevitably a few hardships. You must be able to transport up to 30kg of equipment on the ice cap : this would normally be split into 10kg in a rucksack and 20kg in a towed sledge. In Patagonia, even in the summer, it can be cold and we will definitely have a few stormy days out on the ice-cap. Expedition members should be prepared to work as a team when it comes to pitching tents, help with cooking and carrying communal equipment.

Fitness and experience required

Expedition members should be fit and competent nordic or alpine skiers preferably with previous touring experience. Travel on the ice cap is mostly on ground which is flat or has a very gentle gradient. The optional ascents of Gorra Blanca and Cerro Moreno involves terrain of up to 30° steepness. Clients are welcome to use either nordic or alpine ski touring equipment depending on their personal preference. Nordic equipment has several advantages on the long flat sections, while alpine equipment gives more control on the few short steeper sections. On balance we would suggest that nordic equipment is the most suitable. Winter mountain skills including use of an ice axe and crampons may be needed for the ascents but as we will be on fairly easy snow slopes any customers without such skills can be instructed during the expedition. Previous experience of winter, wilderness or glacier camping is a major advantage in coping with the sometimes tough living conditions out on the ice-cap, but is not essential. This is a tough expedition for those with good mental and physical stamina. Good fitness is required to make the most of this expedition and some recent experience of backpacking (carrying tent and sleeping bag) is essential as we will all have to pull sledges and carry small rucksacks while out on the ice-cap.

Flights

Flights from London to Rio Gallegos, cost about £700. We normally arrange these for you through our travel agents, Journey Latin America (ATOL 2828) at very competitive prices. We make no charge for this service and many customers find it convenient as we then all fly out on the same plane. If you prefer you can arrange flights yourself to fit in with the expedition itinerary.

Accommodation

While we are staying in Buenos Aires, Rio Gallegos and/or Calafate and Chalten all accommodation will be in clean and secure hotels with hot showers. We normally use small family run hotels with a friendly atmosphere. When out on the ice-cap trip we use modern lightweight tents (supplied by us) - you'll need a warm sleeping bag and karrimat or thermarest.

Health, Hygiene & Security

Argentina is one of the most developed countries in South America and the standard of hygiene is generally as good as at home. You would be unlucky to get an upset stomach or diarrhoea. Vaccinations for tetanus, typhoid and polio are recommended. The country is very safe and relaxing to travel in; theft and muggings are as unlikely as they are in most British cities. Everyone who visits Argentina is surprised by how much like a part of Europe the country is.


Expedition organisation

This expedition is designed to be small and flexible. The expedition will be co-ordinated, organised and lead by us, but we will consult and involve the expedition members when planning the details of the trip. Please note however that the leaders decision is final where the safety of the group or any member is in jeopardy; for example where retreat or diversion is necessary due to illness or bad weather.


Suggested further reading

Biggar	The Andes - A Guide for Climbers, 1999
Biggar and Biggar	The Andes - A Trekking Guide, 2001
Bradt Guides	Backpacking in Chile and Argentina, 1998
Lonely Planet	Trekking in the Patagonian Andes, 1997
Kearney	Mountaineering in Patagonia, 1993
Shipman	Land of Tempest, 1962 and That Untravelled World, 1969
Tilman	Mischief in Patagonia, 1957
Neate	Mountaineering in the Andes, 1994
Lonely Planet and Footprint travel guides to Argentina

Summary

An exciting expedition for experienced ski-tourers who want to see some really interesting and wild terrain at the other end of the world.