VIEWPOINT OF THE SOUTHER PATAGONIAN ICE - PASO MARCONI TREK
 4 DAYS - 3 NIGTHS

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This is one of the shortest expeditions that will allow trekkers to “enter” the Southern Patagonian Ice-Field, and spend some time there, on the vast plateau that runs trough the mountains of the Argentine/Chilean border. The trek climbs Marconi Glacier to enter the Ice-Field and the same route is used to exit. Many important Mountains are seen during this amazing trek to name a few… Mt Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Pier Giorgio, Pollone, Cordon Mariano Moreno, Cordon GAEA, Gorra Blanca, and others.
ZONA : Parque Nacional Los Glaciares- Área El Chaltén - Provincia de Santa Cruz Argentina

SEASON :
October to April
Duración :
4 days - 3 nights.
Size of Groups
Minimum 2 passengers maximum 16 passengers
Grade : Difficult

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
Camp

Itinerary

Day 1 | Piedra del Fraile
From El Chalten, transfer to the Bridge over Electric River, head of road to Piedra del Fraile and start of the Expedition. After 2 hours in the woods along the Rio Electric up to Piedra del Fraile, an historical site that was the camp of Father de Agostini A, in one of his many expeditions to Patagonia. The march continues outside the forest closer to the Marconi Glacier. Walking time 5 / 6 hours. Puente del Rio Electric-Playita: radient in ascent: 100m , BL, D ... Camp Playita ... The Mountain Guide

Day 2 |Marconi Pass
We will wake up early: breakfast, after only 30 minutes of walking will bring us in front of the Marconi Glacier. A gigantic screed moraine is our fi rst obstacle; the terrain here is unstable and moves constantly, impeding the formation of a marked path. After this short but diffi cult stretch, we will climb on the glacier itself entering slowly in a vast area of snow and ice. This day might be the toughest of the expedition. We will climb 2400 ft (800 m) on ice and snow, using crampons, and round crevasses with the assistance of the guide and his team – with the aid of ropes if necessary. Marconi Glacier forms a pass that creates a bottle eff ect with the winds coming from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the Pacifi c Ocean. Hence, participants will need to be not only physically, but also mentally prepared to do the trek in rain or snowstorm. At the end of the day, we will arrive at our second campsite, in the South shadow of Mt Marconi and only an hour away from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field itself. The goal is to reach the Chilean Mountain hut at the base of Mt Gorra Blanca. Marconi pass: 1500 above sea level Mountain Hut: 1650 above sea levelWalking distance: 10 Km. (8/9 hours)Elevation gain: 950 mts.
B, BL, D… Gorra Blanca Hut…. Mountain Guide

Day 3| Southern Patagonian Ice Field
A full day spent in the vicinity of the Gorra Blanca Hut, walking in this enormous expanse of Ice, The hut is located on a Nunatak, (a rocky outcrop) and off ers incredible views. This a day not to forget to wander around this Antarctic-like landscape.
B, BL, D… Gorra Blanca Hut…. Mountain Guide

Day 4| Return to El Chalten
Descent following the same route on Marconi Glacier toward Piedra del Fraile and the Electric Valley. It is quite a contrast to walk in the forest the same day after spending some time only
seen rock, snow and Ice.Transfer to El Chalten from Rio Electric Bridge. 9 hours walking
B, BL, Gorra Blanca Hut…. Mountain Guide
Included
• Trekking Guide, licensed by the National Park Administration, and assistant.
• Radio communication with our offi ce in El Chaltén.
• Double tents, cooking equipment and utensils.
• Porters to transport general and personal equipment.
• accommodation: see detail in the itinerary
Meals: see itinerary
B: breakfast
BL: box lunch
D: dinner
Technical equipment

Not Included
• Personal Equipment.
• Transfers in/out El Chaltén.

Note / Observations
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

Nº OF PASSENGERS

PRICES

Minimum 2 PAXS

U$D 1.550.-  P/P

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