Trekking Expeditions

Southern Ice Cap Traverse

Southern Patagonia, Argentina

Number of Days: 12

November 1st - 12th, 2008 

Skill Level Prerequisites:

Beginner and Intermediate

Cost of Trip:

$2,500 U.S.

Trip begins in El Calafate, Argentina

Fitzroy

Trip Description:

This is a semi-technical trek that will take you from the desolated Patagonian steppe, through the thick Andean forests and onto the impressive Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Approximately half of this trek occurs in the forest and alpine zones and the other half involves glacier travel for which we'll carry a glacier travel rig. The jewel of this trip is to be blessed, to witness the orange granite spires, sparkled with snow during the sunset in the Cirque of the Altars, crowned with the Torre, Standhardt & Egger towers and other famous Patagonian peaks.

Mtn Professionals Fitzroy TrekProjected Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in El Calafate. Transfer to El Chalten a spectacular 5 hour drive. Night in local hostel.

Day 2: Trek to "Piedra del Fraile,"-(7 hours). During this hike we will visit Cerro Fitz Roy's basecamp and gain an amazing view of the Fitz Roy groups granite spires.

Day 3: Hike to the base of Marconi Glacier, set up camp.

Day 4: Climb to Marconi Pass, our entry point to the ice cap (7-8 hours). Here we climb a 30 degree slope to reach the great plateau. Great views of Fitz Roy and Mt. Pier Giorgio. Camp on glacier.

Day 5: Hike south (6-7 hours). As we travel across the glacier we'll have a panoramic view of the Gaea & Moreno mountain ranges. We'll camp at the fantastic Cirque de los Altares.

Day 6: Continue hiking south (7-8 hours) to our camp at the Laguna los Esquies (Ski Lake). Snow covered glacier travel gives way to bare ice as we descend.

Day 7: Climb Paso del Viento (Windy Pass) as we leave the ice cap and return to "tierra firma." We'll cross a small glacier at the foot of Cerro Grande on the way to our camp.

Day 8: We will continue hiking through grasslands and forests with light packs (most gear transported by horses) back to El Chalten, where we will enjoy a hot shower and celebration dinner.

Day 9, 10, 11: Wild card days we will probably need to wait for favorable weather conditions. This time will be spent hiking in the forests (protected from high winds) or trekking to the base of the impressive Merm Guillaumet.

Day 12: Transfer to El Calafate for flight home.

Price Includes:

  • Mountain Professional Guides
  • All ground transfers
  • Lodging in hostels
  • All expedition meals
  • Packing horses or porters for the first and last day of the trip
  • All group gear: tents, first aid kits, communication devices, technical glacier travel gear (ropes, harnesses, GPS)
  • All kitchen gear

Price Does Not Include:

Items of personal nature, individual travel costs, delays, taxis, etc.

  • Entry visas
  • Vaccinations
  • Recommended Travel Insurance
  • Personal clothing or gear
  • Alcoholic drinks and personal snacks
  • Staff gratuities

Please contact Mountain Professionals at admin@mtnprofessionals.com for a detailed gear list, booking information, and application form.