Trekking - Continental Ice - El Chaltén, Santa Cruz

An adventure to the white field

Almost on the limit of Los Glaciares National Park, north sector. We´ll walk along 90km of forests trails and roped up on a large glacier; We´ll cross to Chile to spend the night in Gorra Blanca refuge. A great adventure that does not require technical knowledge (the guides will take care of the corresponding classes and care). You are going to trek with crampons and/or snowshoes, bypassing Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, its a relly beautiful hike.

Modality and difficulty: There are permanent slopes, between forests and high passes. You have to carry your own backpack with personal equipment and a bag of group food. Semi-technical terrain, with ice and rope movement. Overnights are in wild areas (without toilets), in tents and mountain shelters.

Minimum group of 4 people. Consult.

Day 1: Meeting in El Chalten.

Talk about the adventure to be done and equipment check. Check of the mandatory personal equipment to carry on the journey.

Overnight in El Chalten, not included.

Day 2: Electric River Valley

Transfer to Puente sobre Río Eléctrico, 15 km north-west of El Chaltén and starting point of our first day of trekking to the Marconi Glacier base.
The first two hours of walking follow the Río Eléctrico upstream through a Ñires and Lengas lush forest to Piedra del Fraile refuge; Then we´ll border the Electric Lake on its southern margin and less than two hours away we´ll have to ford the Pollone River from where we´ll be able to observe the NW wall of Mt. Fitz Roy. Finally La Playita is reached, where we´ll set up our camp. All guides and participants will bring everything necessary for the camp.

Distance to cover: 12 km. (10 hs. Of march).

Day 3: Marconi Glacier - Marconi Pass - Gorra Blanca Refuge

We´ll wake up with the first light of day to start the daily routine of our expedition, have breakfast, undo camp, pack backpacks and start the hiking day.
Very long day to try to cross the pass, enter the ice.

We arrive at Gorra Blanca Refuge, in the middle of the ice field. Rest, dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Refuge - Gorra Blanca Summit - Refuge

Early in the morning and if weather alouds it, we begin the ascent to Cerro Gorra Blanca (optional). It will take us approximately 10 to 12 hours to go up and down, crossing sectors with possible cracks and large snowy slopes. Return in the afternoon to the refuge. Rest and spend the night.  (12 hs. Of march).

Day 5: Gorra Blanca Refuge - Circo de los Altares

We will wake up with the first light of day and start the journey through the continental ice to Circo de los Altares, at Cerro Torre base. Exposure to possible winds. Overnight in the ice field. (9hs. Of march).

Day 6: Circo de los Altares - Esquíes Lagoon - Paso del Viento refuge

Path to leave the ice thru Paso del Viento and then access one of the upper lagoons. New camp next to a precarious refuge. (10hs. Of march).

Day 7: Paso del Viento Shelter - El Chalten

Very long and final section to El Chalten, passing by Laguna Toro. We arrive in the afternoon-night to  Chalten town. Overnight in hostel. End of the expedition. (12-14 hs. Of march).

Day 8: Extra day . 

One more day in case of bad weather

Note:  In case of bad weather, the guide will decide to shorten or lengthen the days