Ice Trekking - Trekking El Chaltén - Argentina

The glaciers here beg to be climbed. Take a boat across Lago Viedma to Glaciar Viedma, the largest ice floe in Argentina. Two expeditions can be done here: the six-hour Viedma Glacier, in which you visit ice caves; and the nine-hour Viedma Pro, which involves more intensive ice climbing. The most challenging of regularly offered ice treks in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares is the mythical Cerro Torre, which can be done on a one-day tour, or one- to two-night expeditions. Another opportunity to ice trek is Glaciar Huemul at Lago del Desierto. Special excursions for ice climbing on Cerro FitzRoy can be arranged as well.

Getting There

A number of companies offer climbing:

Cerro Torre -- FitzRoy Expediciones (Avenida San Martín, Tel.: 49-3017, E-mail: info@fitzroyexpediciones.com.ar, URL: www.fitzroyexpediciones.com.ar); Mountaineering Patagonia (Avenida San Martín 16, Tel.: 49-3194, URL: www.mountaineeringpatagonia.com).

Glaciar Viedma: Patagonia Aventura (San Martín 56, Tel.: 43-6424, E-mail: info@patagonia-aventura.com.ar, URL: www.patagonia-aventura.com.ar).

Location:
El Chaltén, Argentina

Trekking

Travel Tips: Ice trekking on the glaciers is done October – April. You don’t need experience, but you do have to be in good physical condition, especially for the Cerro Torre climb.

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Equipment: Daypack, snacks, water; warm clothing, including wool or fleece hat, gloves, waterproof jacket and pants, hiking boots; sunglasses, sunblock. Ice climbing equipment (crampons, picks, etc.) should be provided by the tour operator.

About this Page

By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began...

Updated: 24 Aug 2009