CIRCUIT CERRO HUEMUL
El Chalten - Paso del Viento - Paso Huemul - El Chalten

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These programs provide the opportunity to enjoy activities from medium to long term, and from low to high diffi culty and physical demand. All programs will introduce in the fl ora, fauna, history, geography and glaciology of the area visited.
ZONA : Parque Nacional Los Glaciares- Área El Chaltén - Provincia de Santa Cruz Argentina

Season :
October to April
Duration :
5 days - 4 nigths.
Size of Group
02 a 16 personas. 
Difficulty Grade
In this level it is common to find areas that require many hours walking outside of marked trails, and across all kinds of terrain. Moraines, bushes,  bogs, scree slopes, Glacier crossing on their ablation areas, Passes, river wading, snow and any other mountainous area.
Hikers will carry backpacks, campsites are very rustic and remote, and the trek can be several days ina row without rest days.

Long walks of 6 to 10 hours.
The clients have to carry their own equipment, and often part of the general equipment. (Personal porters can be arranged).
Moderate to big drops in altitude (400 to 1000 mts).
Lodging in camps or in mountain huts (twin share accommodation.
Physically very demanding.
Previous technical mountaineering experience not required.
Previous experience of trekking and camping is required.
We recommend aerobic training before the trip.

Examples Grade D:

  • Mount HUEMUL Circuit

  • Crossing from Lake San Martin and El Chalten without support Pack-horses.

  • Crossing from Estancia Cristina to Estancia Helsingfors

Accommodation
To see the program

Itinerariy

Day 1 | Lake Toro
We start the trek from El Chaltén gently climbing Loma Del Pliegue Tumbado, with panoramic views of Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and Lake Viedma. From there, we follow Túnel River valley until getting to Camp Toro, near Lake Toro. each passenger has to carry his/her personal equipment.
BL, D… Laguna Toro Camp… Mountain Guide

Day 2 | Paso del Viento –HPS viewpoint
We will wake up early to start the key-day of this program. After round Lake Toro and cross a river (on foot or by a Tyrolean rope), we will start uphill towards Del Viento Pass, door of access to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. During this 2700-foot (900-meter) ascent, we will cross a glacier and climb up moraines and scree slopes. Splendid views treat us all along the trek, and the highlight is surely the fabulous panoramic lookout over the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. We will traverse down a scree to our campsite near “Refugio Viedma” (Viedma’s Hut), settled in a lateral moraine of Viedma Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Camp is set around the Hut.
B, BL, D… Campamento Refugio Paso del Viento… Mountain Guide

Day 3 | SPIF: Viedma Glacier
Full-day ice trekking into the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, on the surface of Viedma Glacier, using snowshoes or crampons according to the ice-conditions. This is a wonderful hike that gives a true sense of the vastness of the Ice plateau, with the best views of Moreno Range, Witte and Viedma Nunataks. In the afternoon, we will return to our camp by the Hut.
B, BL, D… Paso del Viento Hut camp… Mountain Guide

Day 4 | Huemul Pass
Full-day trek to Huemul Pass, through this lonely part area of the National Park, circling Cerro Huemul. The camp is just over the pass, sheltered by dwarf-sized Lenga forest, with gorgeous views of Viedma Glacier as it meets Lake Viedma. Only fi ve minutes from camp there are “condoreras” (a set of condor nests), clinging to ledges on rock walls and if we are lucky, we will see condors fl ying over our heads. Porters will carry the gear as usual. Walking distance: 8 km. (6/7 hours) Elevation gain: 200 mts ascent and 100 mts descent.
B, BL, D… Paso Huemul Camp… Mountain Guide

Day 5 | Lake Viedma – El Chaltén
Trek down the steep descent to Lake Viedma and Cabo de Hornos Bay, for our rendez-vous with the boat HUEMUL (for our return to Bahía Túnel, 30 minutes away by minibus from El Chaltén.Walking distance: 5 Km. (2/3 hs. hours)Elevation drop: 600 mts steep descent
B, BL, D… Lodge.. Mountain Guide
Included
Double tents, cooking equipment and utensils.
Mountain equipment (ropes, harnesses, karabiners, maps, compass, etc.)
Crampons and technical equipment for the participants.
Boat transfer to Bahía Túnel, and minibus to El Chaltén.
Accommodation: see itinerary
Meals: see itinerary
B: breakfast
BL: box lunch
D: dinner
NOT INCLUDED
• Personal Equipment.
• Transfers in/out El Chaltén.
• Services not mentioned in this program.
• Drinks in restaurants, and extra drinks.
• Tips.

Note
The fi rst day the passengers will carry their lunch box and only their personal things like sleeping bags and pads (which can be brought or rented). The llamas will carry food and general equipment such as tents, rope and harness. The second day passengers should bear part of the general gear as well as personal equipment. Load to be carried about from day 2: 16 to 20 kilos. Recommended to bring warm sleeping bag and personal gear, but lightweight minimized. This journey takes place in an inhospitable region. There will be no dining tents, tables or benches, Upon returning from the trip we recommend spending the night in El Chalten. We see this so convenient to have a well earned rest after a long trek. This trip can be combined with the Glacier Trekking Tower or any other program that passes the Fitzroy River Valley, in which case, the Day 1 of the program begins at the base camp of Laguna Tower Thorwood. The itinerary can be modifi ed and should be considered as a guide. External factors or weather conditions can change daily plans, which is up to the Guide.

PRICES PER PERSON IN AMERICAN DOLLARS
Prices valid from May 2011 to April 30, 2012

PROGRAM 5 DAYS

Nº OF PASSENGERS

PRICES

Minimum 2 PAXS

U$D 1.370.-  P/P

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