A 4-day training experience in snowy, winter terrain
4.8 (147)
Duration:4 days Starting from:El Bolsón, Rio NegroRegion:patagonia
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Start time: 9 am Ending time: 17 hs
Meeting Point: El Bolsón, Rio Negro
Duration: 4 days Cupos:
8 spots
Proposal
Learning to live in the winter mountains
A course designed for those who want to build the fundamental knowledge needed to live in conditions of low temperatures, snow, and ice. It involves camping out, with an intense and very varied schedule.
Content:
Special winter care: cold, sun, wind, nutrition-hydration. Living in the snow
September 2 to 5 - Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego: CLICK HERE
Schedule:
Day 1: Meet in El Bolsón. Guide introductions, gear check. Transfer to Bosque Tallado. First trek to the Piltriquitrón refuge. Initial talk on snowshoes and poles. Lunch. Round-trip hike with backpack, poles, and/or snowshoes. First steps. Breaking trail. Snow science, orientation, and geography of the area. General considerations. Overnight at the refuge.
Day 2: Breakfast. Mountain cooking workshop. Lunch. Self-arrest. Snow types, snow profiles, slope analysis: avalanches. Roping practice — coiled and glacier travel, with crevasse rescue. Ice axe technique. Dinner and overnight at the refuge.
Day 3: Breakfast. Crampon practice. Mixed climbing. Snow anchors: stakes, pickets, bollards. Building anchor systems. Lunch. Special techniques with ice axe and crampons. Multi-pitch climbing through gullies and rugged slopes. Summit attempt and return in the late afternoon/evening. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Breakfast. Ice climbing (ice-axe technique) on waterfalls if conditions allow, otherwise gullies. Lunch. Review of everything covered in the course. Breaking camp and descent to the trailhead, then final transfer to El Bolsón. Closing talk and end of the course. End of our services.
Included Services
Professional guides and instructors
General equipment: ropes, group technical gear
Communication: VHF radio
First aid kit and rescue personnel
All meals in the mountains (breakfast on day 2 through lunch on day 4)
The entire course and its content, across the 4 continuous days. Ask us for the detailed program.
1 night at a mountain refuge (hostel-type)
Pre-trip briefings, audiovisual material, and other guidance.
Personal accident insurance
Services NOT included
Personal gear
Travel to Caviahue and lodging/dinner on the day in Caviahue, the night before and/or after
Note
Considerations
This is an intense experience in the middle of winter. It's important to know that contact with moisture and cold is constant and significant. Having quality, complete gear is essential.
You'll need to carry a heavy backpack, with all your personal winter gear plus your share of the group/general equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperatures do we need to handle?
Camp is set up in a forest, but with wind and in winter, temperatures can drop well below 0 degrees. It is very important to have the right gear, and for it to be good quality.
You also need to protect yourself well from the sun with a hat, neck gaiters, sunscreen, and category 4 mountain sunglasses. And for the night, it's important to have a good sleeping bag and warm layers, since the temperature can drop below 0° Celsius.
What sleeping bag should I bring?
Sleeping bags should be rated for at least 0° comfort, so you can rest properly. Goose-down ones are best, but synthetic bags today also use modern, high-performance materials and work better in very humid places. You can rent one from us.
What's the best way to travel, and to which city?
Fly into Ushuaia. It's the best, most direct, and also the most economical option.
Can you tell me anything about the group? How many of us are there, what ages, etc.?
In general these are very mixed groups (all kinds of people). Varied ages and genders, people traveling solo, with a friend, as couples, families, etc.
Where do we sleep?
In high-mountain tents set up on the snow.
What kind of physical fitness do I need for this type of expedition?
It's not essential to be a dedicated athlete training 4 times a week. But keep in mind that the better shape you're in, the better the experience will be. The idea of these adventures is for you to enjoy them, not suffer through them. If you don't usually train, go running, cycle, or do other aerobic activity, we recommend joining one of our weekly training sessions geared toward mountain activities. Otherwise, start by walking with a loaded backpack of at least 8 kilograms for several kilometers a week, and also do stairs or slopes in uninterrupted 20-minute sets.
From age 16, with authorization or accompaniment by an adult.
How much does the backpack weigh?
On this expedition we carry a lot of weight, more than 18 kilos per person. You need to be prepared for these conditions.
What do we eat?
On this trip we plan the menu and do the shopping together as a group, so we can be self-sufficient and practice an autonomous system. The company provides stoves and cooking equipment.
Who's a good fit for Introduction to Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing Course - El Bolsón?
Introduction to Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing Course - El Bolsón is an expedition that any adventurer can take on with the right physical preparation, equipment and prior experience con salida desde El Bolsón, Rio Negro , in the region patagonia, Argentina.
It lasts 4 days . Todos nuestros programas incluyen guías de montaña certificados, logística de expedición y seguro de accidentes personales.
What physical fitness level is required for Introduction to Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing Course - El Bolsón?
Como medir la dificultad de un ascenso o una expedición? es una pregunta que surge a menudo. Para esto desarrollamos un sistema de graduación que ayuda al participante a medir la dificultad, dado a que evaluamos 5 variables sobre la intensidad de cada propuesta. • The weight of the backpack relative to the length of the day • The physical demand • The technical level of the terrain and required equipment • The degree of mental strength required • The maximum altitude reached
Hace click el botón y evaluá vos mismo la dificultad ->:
What equipment do I need to take part in the Introduction to Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing Course - El Bolsón?
En cada uno de nuestros programas vas encontrar un apartado de EQUIPO REQUERIDO. contá con nosotros para asesorarte y prepararlo de forma adecuada para maximizar el disfrute de la actividad. Contamos con una tienda de alquiler, para resolver si te falta algo. Chequealo ahora! ->
What's included in Introduction to Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing Course - El Bolsón?
Professional guides and instructors
General equipment: ropes, group technical gear
Communication: VHF radio
First aid kit and rescue personnel
All meals in the mountains (breakfast on day 2 through lunch on day 4)
group technical gear: ropes, shovels, harnesses, crampons, ice axes, carabiners, slings, etc
The entire course and its content, across the 4 continuous days. Ask us for the detailed program.
1 night at a mountain refuge (hostel-type)
Pre-trip briefings, audiovisual material, and other guidance.
Personal accident insurance
What happens if the trip is suspended due to bad weather or other force majeure?
At AEX, the safety of our travelers and guides comes first. Activities are only suspended or modified when weather, political or geographic conditions put the expedition at risk. The decision rests exclusively with the guide team and technical direction, based on official reports (National Weather Service, National Parks or local authorities).
If the trip is suspended, do I lose what I paid?
No. The amount paid becomes a Credit in your favor (Weather Voucher) valid for 18 months from the suspended date: up to 6 months to choose a new date plus 12 months to take part. You can use it for the same expedition or any of our other destinations and experiences, and if you cannot use it within that period you can transfer it to someone else.
Difficulty Graduation System
Click on each indicator to see details
60%
Backpack (M)
Backpack: Weight / Duration of the Day.
Clic para detalles
40%
Physical (F)
Physical demand
Clic para detalles
40%
Technical (T)
Technician: Difficulty in the Field / Equipment.
Clic para detalles
20%
Psycho (P)
Psychological Strength
Clic para detalles
20%
Height (A)
Height Exposure
Clic para detalles
Backpack (M)
Backpack (M)
This point refers to the weight we have to carry in our backpacks. Treks or journeys where we use pack animals allow us to carry less weight on our backs.
20%Up to 5 Kilos: Short excursion walks / Trekking Talampaya
40%Up to 8/10 Kilos: Round-trip trekking / Vallecitos 3 and 4-day programs
60%Up to 12/15 kilos: Crossing trekking with porting / Crossing of the Andes Paso Portillo
80%More than 15/18 kilos: Cross-country trekkings with little or no portage / Trekkings in Patagonia
100%More than 25 Kilos: With a lot of equipment on top and little or no porting / Continental Ice
Physical demand (F)
Physical (F)
We define physical demand as the fatigue we may experience both aerobically and in the muscles, legs, and joints.
20%half a day or less with little unevenness.
40%more sustained slopes and longer days in the activity. 2-3 days / more than 6 hours per day.
60%Long ascents and descents with a longer duration. Ascents to more than 4000 meters in the central mountain range.
80%Important work of legs in resistance. Very long days. Very long day ascents.
100%Maximum demand. Aerobic work and constant effort on legs. Continental Ice, Aconcagua.
Technical Aspect (T)
Technical (T)
The technical difficulty is mainly based on the terrain and the required skill level.
20%flat land
40%Trails with moderate ascents and descents. General trekking expeditions.
60%Steeper slopes and trails. Possible use of crampons.
80%Mixed terrain, with snow or ice. Alvear, Lanin, Tronador.
100%Highly technical terrain. Glacier travel and climbing in sections.
Psychological Strength (P)
Psycho (P)
Psychological factor that represents conviction, confidence, self-control and willpower.
20%We will not be much affected.
40%This is a normal level of attention.
60%We require more motivation, enthusiasm and concentration.
80%The activity will require us to be very connected and convinced.
100%Maximum control and emotional-psychological performance.
Height Exposure (A)
Altitude (A)
Factor that the height above sea level influences us depending on the activity.
0%+ sea level.
20%Up to 2000 masl.
40%+ 2000 masl.
60%+ 4000 masl.
80%+ 5000 masl.
100%+ 6000 masl.
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
Ideal for beginners
This adventure is perfect for those starting in outdoor activities.
Tilcara Calilegua es la travesía mas hermosa que hice, tiene unos paisajes maravillosos . La inmensidad en la montaña es increible. Pero lo que realmente lo hizo mágico fueron los lugares donde nos hospedamos, los compañeros de montaña y el amor y el cuidado de los guías. Euge y Gus estuvieron en cada detalle, pendiente de cada uno de nosotros, realemente ellos fueron el viaje. La comida increible. Agradecida eternamente con ambos..
AS
Alex Sangregorio
Viajé hace un mes con ellos y la experiencia fue impecable.
Muy buena organización por parte de toda la agencia y excelentes los guías, siempre atentos y con la mejor predisposición. Totalmente recomendable.
LD
Luciana Durante
Fui a Tres Picos con Mati y Fer de AEX. Todo sucedió como estaba organizado. Tanto los guías como Euge estuvieron disponibles desde el día 1 de la reserva para evacuar todas nuestras dudas y llegar de la mejor manera al trekking. Súper recomendable viajar con AEX.
Do you have doubts?
If you have questions about this adventure, we look forward to hearing from you!
