Ascent Cerro Tronador - Argentino Peak (3180 masl)

Proposal

The ever white mountain

El Tronador is an old volcano (it is said that it had its last eruption thousands of years ago) that gives the most striking color to the surrounding geography of San Carlos de Bariloche. As an icon that stands out at more than 3000 meters above sea level, the hill has 6 glaciers (4 on the Argentine side, 2 on the Chilean side) that give a spectacular setting to the region. Through this terrain, made of rock, snow and glaciers, you travel and ascend to the different peaks. In this expedition, the objective is to try to reach the Pico Argentino, one of the closest to Otto Melling refuge.

Itinerary

Suggestion: spend the night before in Bariloche, with equipment check by the guides.

Day 1: Transfer 7 am from San Carlos de Bariloche to Pampa Linda, about 2.30 hours of travel. Entrance to the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Equipment preparation and trekking to the Otto Meling refuge. Important 5/6 hour climb with weight. Camp next to the refuge. (option to spend the night in the refuge, check rates)

Hours of activity: 6

Day 2: Rest and practice of glacier rope techniques and ice climbing. , about 2.30 hours of travel. Entrance to the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Preparation of equipment and trekking to the Otto Meling refuge. Important 5/6 hour climb with weight.

Hours of activity: 4 to 6

Day 3: Day of attempted summit of the Pico Argentino. Between 12 and 14 hours of round trip activity. Ascent by glacier and climbing on a 50 ° slope. Return to the shelter and new camp.

Hours of activity: 12 to 14

Day 4: This day, instead of descending the path that we have climbed, we will make the journey that connects this refuge with the Agostino Rocca, in Paso de las Nubes, and that crosses the Alerce Glacier. Beautiful route, also with glacier rope techniques. Arrival at the Rocca refuge and spend the night in it, with bunk beds and bath-shower.

Activity hours: 8

Day 5: We will now descend along the path that comes from Pampa Linda, where we will go to finish the circular route. First part through forest, then steep descent through snails and finally we skirted the Rio Alerce until its confluence with the Castaño Overo, the same bridge that we crossed when climbing to the Meilling refuge; End at Pampa Linda and our program. Transfer back to Bariloche.

Hours of activity: 6

Elevation Profile

Included Services

Certified High Mountain Guide
Helper guides
Transfer from San Carlos de Bariloche.
Horses carriage to the vicinity of the Meilling refuge
All daily meals (Breakfasts, cold meats, dinners, snacks, snacks, etc.)
Personal Accident Insurance
VHF communications equipment.
General climbing equipment: ropes, bolts, stakes
Kitchen equipment (heater, plate, jug, cutlery, pots, etc.)
4 nights in mountain refuge
Pre-trip advice through photos, maps, meetings in Buenos Aires. (They are not essential).
Assisted training during the entire time prior to the trip.

Services NOT included

Tickets to San Carlos de Bariloche
Overnight and expenses in the city
Crampons, ice ax, helmet, harness.
Personal equipment.
Expenses caused by quitting the program.

Note

Intense expedition; good physical condition is required.

Where to sleep

3 nights at the Otto Meiling refuge (mattresses + sleeping bag) and 1 night at the Agostino Rocca refuge in Paso de las Nubes (sea beds + sleeping bag).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a difficult ascent?

The technical difficulty goes through slopes of 50/55 degrees on the final steps of the Pico Argentino summit and also in the glacial transit, rope up and using ice axes and crampons. A small workshop of these techniques is also made in the mountains on the day before the summit attempt.

Do I need to be trained?

In this expedition it is important to have adequate physical training to withstand between 12 and 15 hours of intense activity.

Do I need to have previous experience?

It is important to have some previous experience in different trekkings and camping in the mountains. The summit day is intense.

Where do we spend the night?

The overnight is made in large tents, military shelter or mountain tents. For the nights in San Martin de los Andes we can advise you where to stop

Do I have to bring a tent?

The tents are included in the service.

What is the climate or temperature?

Although the time of year is summer / spring, in mountainous and / or rugged areas, temperatures tend to drop at night and at dawn (second day).

Are rest stops made?

Stops are given with a frequency and graduation according to intensity.

From what age can someone do this activity?

From 13 years of age.

How much does the backpack weigh?

Approximately between 14 and 18 kilos kilos.

Is there a carrying/porter service?

No. Each one must ascend with the weight they carry in their backpacks, personal equipment. You can hire porting although you must consult and reserve in advance.

What do we eat?

In all our expeditions we offer the food service IN FULL BOARD PLAN.

Marching lunches (cold meals): Milanesa and tomato sandwiches, cold cuts, snacks, salads, tapas, etc.

Dinners: Vegetable-bacon-red chorizo ??stews, Chicken and vegetable casseroles, Pasta with various sauces or stew, Roast meat (Chivito), Chaw Fan, Chicken with rice in the saucepan ....

Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, , Mate, Milk powder; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit.

It is necessary to complete the personal / medical file to clarify if someone does not eat any type of food.

Difficulty Graduation System

Click on each indicator to see details

80%

Backpack (M)

Backpack: Weight / Duration of the Day.

Clic para detalles

100%

Physical (F)

Physical demand

Clic para detalles

80%

Technical (T)

Technician: Difficulty in the Field / Equipment.

Clic para detalles

80%

Psycho (P)

Psychological Strength

Clic para detalles

40%

Height (A)

Height Exposure

Clic para detalles

How to interpret these values?

Each aspect is evaluated from 20% to 100%, where:

20-40%: Basic or beginner level
60%: Intermediate level
80-100%: Advanced or expert level

Only for experienced adventurers

This adventure requires advanced experience and excellent physical condition.

Required equipment

General Equipment

Trekking special backpack (60 to 80 liters)
Warm sleeping bag (–15 degrees comfort, eg 800 / 1000gms. Of down-duvet or good synthetic).
Insulating mat (10 to 15mm).
Inflatable insulating mat (optional)
Trekking poles

FEET

1 Mountain boots for hills of 4000 meters (not necessarily double). Waterproof
1 extra light trekking shoe or outdoor shoe.

FIRST LAYER (First skin)

changes of underwear.
Cotton T-shirts (to be in the camp and to sleep)
T-shirts and / or synthetic short-sleeved shirts
Long-sleeved synthetic T-shirt
Polypropylene pants or footwear or similar (not cotton). To wear as a warm inner trousers
Thin polypropylene or similar gloves (not cotton)
pairs of thin socks made of polypropylene or similar (not cotton), in contact with the skin.
Buff type multifunction scarf

SECOND LAYER (warm)