Argentina - Patagonia Hut-To-Hut - Trekking

Argentina

Patagonia Hut-To-Hut

Refugio Frey (5,576')

Refugio St. Martin (5,248')

Overview

Experience Level: Expert
Duration: 10 days
Skiers: 8
Guides: 2
Land Cost: $2,500

Expedition Code

AGPH-10-09170926

AGPH-10-10011010

Dates

Sep 17 - Sep 26, 2010

Oct 1 - Oct 10, 2010

Expedition Goals

Refugio Frey is a rustic backcountry hut maintained by the Club Andino Bariloche, and located in the middle of some of the most breathtaking and challenging ski mountaineering terrain in South America.

Refugio St. Martin is another mountain hut in the lofty peaks of Patagonia’s stunning Lake District. On this expedition we will spend our days skiing deep powder bowls and steep chutes, and our nights dining on famous Argentine steak and vino tinto. This is South American ski touring at its finest.

Prerequisites

Participation in this expedition requires advanced ski mountaineering skills. You must have a solid working knowledge of the techniques for staying warm and dry while skiing, traveling, and camping in cold conditions. You must be comfortable skiing deep powder and steep terrain, and have a working knowledge of avalanche rescue using beacon, probe, and shovel. For reasons of personal and team safety and success, it is imperative you arrive for this expedition in excellent physical condition.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive in Argentina; transfer from airport; hotel check-in; administration & logistics. Arrive in San Carlos de Bariloche (2,772’), where an Expedition-Logistics guide will be waiting to greet you. After a gear inventory and hotel check-in, take some time to relax or explore the city. Bariloche is famous for its wine, steaks, chocolates, and a very active, late night party scene. This resort town on the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi has been called the "capital of Patagonia". This evening, get to know your guides and teammates at the welcome dinner and expedition briefing.

Day 2 — Casual wake-up; full ski day on-piste; evening activities. Today we hit the slopes for a morning of on-piste fun. In the afternoon the guide staff will lead the team through avalanche rescue scenarios and beacon drills in preparation for the backcountry portion of the expedition.

San Carlos de Bariloche is but a few miles from the mountain and offers all the amenities of a world-class ski resort. Tonight we will sample Bariloche's famous — and famously wild — nightlife.

Day 3 — Early wake-up; ski to Refugio Frey. It's an early start this morning, and after a hearty breakfast we load on the Princesa 3 chairlift and ride to the top of Alta Patagonia Ski Resort. From the top of the lift we skin a short distance to the saddle below the main summit of Punta Princesa (6,725'), and then make the long, steep ski down to the Van Titter Valley. Once on the valley floor we pass the Refugio Piedritas, and continue on to the Refugio Emilio Frey (5,576').

The rustic refugio is on the banks of the frozen Laguna Tonchek at the base of the Aguja Frey (Frey Spire). Like most of the refugios (huts) in the area, it was built and is maintained by the Club Andino Bariloche (CAB), the oldest and most active climbing organization in Argentina.

Day 4 — Early wake-up; backcountry skiing; return to refugio. It's an early morning as we head out the door in search of powder. We are deep inside the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, surrounded by towering granite spires, so finding steep, skiable chutes poses little challenge. In the afternoon we return to the warmth of the refugio for lunch, and then go powder-hounding once again. This evening it's Argentine steaks and wine.

Day 5 — Casual wake-up; backcountry skiing; return to refugio. Refreshed by a long night's sleep, we once again mount up for another full day of powdery face shots. Today's objectives are the wide open bowls on the northeast flanks of the massif made up of Cerro Catedral (7,889'), Cerro Catedral Sur (7,833'), and Cerro D'Agostini. After lunch at the refugio, we ski the area around the impressive Campanille Spire. Afterwards we return to the refugio for another gourmet meal and call it a night.

Day 6 — Early wake-up; ski tour to Refugio St. Martin. This morning we're on the move as we say goodbye to the Refugio Frey and ski tour to the Refugio St. Martin. We ski along the Laguna Schmoll and a flat area called the cancha de futbol (the soccer field), then climb rocky terrain for a while until we top out on the Catedral ridge (6,724'). On the ridge we stop for a much needed break, and to take in the tremendous views of Cerro Catedral, Cerro Tres Reyes (6,691'), and Cerro Tronador (11,001'), a volcano that straddles the international border between Argentina and Chile.

After our break we enjoy a screaming descent down into the Rucaco Valley. After some time crossing the valley floor it's another ascent, this time up to Cerro Brecha Negra (6,232'), where we once again stop for a much needed break. From Brecha Negra we can see the far off peaks of Chile, and below us the Laguna Jakob and the Refugio St. Martin (5,248'), our destination for the night. Another balls to the wall ski descent and we're at the door of the refugio.

Day 7 — Early wake-up; backcountry skiing; return to refugio. It's another early start as we get out the door in search of turns. Today we explore the area around the Cuernos del Diablo (the Devil's Horns), one of the most striking peaks in the region. As usual we descend to the refugio for lunch, and then head out looking for more great skiing until it's time to return for the evening.

Day 8 — Casual wake-up; backcountry skiing; return to refugio. This morning we take a ski tour to Laguna los Tempanos (Iceberg Lake) and enjoy the great skiing found in the area's bowls. We'll also skin to the top of Cerro Cella for a close up look at Cerro Tronador. At the end of the day we return to the refugio for another evening of decadent wining and dining. Life is good in Argentina.

Day 9 — Casual wake-up; ski tour to trailhead; transfer to Bariloche. A hearty breakfast stokes the fires for today's ski tour as we bid the Refugio St. Martin farewell and head down the Casa de Piedra Valley. After a few hours we meet our drivers and load into 4x4s for the return trip to San Carlos de Bariloche. After hotel check-in we inventory gear and pack for travel. This evening, join your teammates for a celebration dinner and expedition debriefing.

Day 10 — Casual wake-up; transfer to airport; return flights home.

Note on Itinerary

Although our guides take reasonable measures to adhere to the itinerary, it is subject to change due to variables including, but not limited to, weather and route conditions, the condition and ability of the team, local and US government restrictions, airline changes or cancellations, other variables outside the control of Expedition-Logistics, blah, blah, blah.

Land Cost

Land Cost Includes
Professional U.S. and local guides, basecamp cook/manager, porters and pack animals, in-country ground and air transportation, all overnight accommodations, all scheduled meals, permits, group climbing equipment (ropes, rock, snow and ice protection, etc.), group camping equipment (tents, stoves, fuel, cooking pots, first aid kits, etc.), and oxygen where necessary.

Land Cost Does Not Include
International roundtrip airfare, personal climbing and camping equipment (see Personal Equipment Checklist for more information), trip cancellation insurance, medical or evacuation insurance, excess baggage fees or airport taxes, expenses incurred as a result of inclement weather or other conditions of nature, government action, illness, flight delays, or any other delays beyond the control of Expedition-Logistics, including unscheduled hotel nights and meals, incidental personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.), alcoholic beverages, or gratuities to guides, porters and staff.

Additional Information

See our Terms & Conditions for more. If you have questions regarding this expedition or your suitability for it, contact us at climb@expedition-logistics.com; please include your telephone number and the best time to call.