South American Adventure - Argentina

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EHC Continental Ice Field Expedition
12 days – 11 night (Very Strenuous Expedition)

Departures: Sturdays, each 14 days.

Season: November to March
Starts at: El Calafate
Ends at: El Calafate
Group Departures
Minimum Group Size: 3 passengers
An extremely intense and unforgettable expedition to the Southern Patagonian Continental Ice Field, through Marconi and Paso del Viento Pass; passing through the Western face of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, and the Moreno Chain to the East, to enjoy the majestic Circo de los Altares.
This excursion includes 4 nights camping on the glacier; no prior technical experience required with crampons or snowshoes. Previous experience on trekking and camp activities is required.
Nevertheless, good predisposition to physical effort is needed in order to fully enjoy this unforgettable adventure.
DAY / ITINERARY
01 El Calafate - El Chaltén
02 Glacier Marconi Base
03 Glacier Marconi
04 Circo de los Altares
05 Circo de los Altares
06 Laguna de los Esquíes
07 Paso del Viento
08 Return to El Chaltén
09
10
11		 Reserved Days for bad weather conditions
12 El Chaltén - El Calafate
ACCOMMODATION
Expedition Camp
On Continental Ice Field Camp
Hostel
 
ITINERARY
Day 1
Reception at El Calafate airport and bus transfer to El Chalten. The guides make a presentation and an informative talking to introduce the passengers on the Continental Ice Field characteristics and the program’s details. They will provide information on the equipment and some details about how to use it. Lodging at Hostel
Day 2
Trekking to the Marconi Glacier base, 3 hours aprox. trek. Altitude difference: 300mts. Lodging in campsite.
Day 3
Trekking trhough the Marconi Glacier (1500mts) up to Paso Marconi. This is a full glacier trekking day. We will use crampons and rops, if the weather make it necessary. Fabulous panoramic view of the interior of the glacier and the mountains of this area. 6-7 hours aprox. trek. Lodging at campsite over the Continental Ice.
Day 4
Trekking on the Continental Ice to the "Circo de los Altares", at the base of the legendary west face of the Torre Hill. Snowshoes will be used. 6 hours aprox. trek. Lodging at campsite over the Continental Ice.
Day 5
Enjoy of the "Circo de los Altares", view of the west faces of the Fitz Roy and Torre Hills. Lodging at campsite over the Continental Ice.
Day 6
Trekking to the Esquies lagoon, exit of the Continental Ice lateral border of the Viedma Glacier. If weather condition was really hard, we’ll have to continue for two hours more to the "Paso Del Viento" refuge. 7 hours aprox. trek (to the Esquies lagoon) Lodging at campsite.
Day 7
Trekking going over the "Paso del Viento"(1550mts) with the fabulous view to the Toro Lagoon, crossing the terminal tongue of the Tunel Glacier and the river with the same name. 6-7 hours aprox. trek to arrive to the forest where we will camp. Lodging at campsite.
Day 8
Trekking to El Chalten crossing the "Loma del Pliegue Tumbado" Lodging at Hostel.
Day 9/10/11
Reception at El Calafate airport and bus transfer to El Chalten. The guides make a presentation and an informative talking to introduce the passengers on the Continental Ice Field characteristics and the program’s details. They will provide information on the equipment and some details about how to use it. Lodging at Hostel
Day 12
Breakfast and transfer to El Calafate. End of our services.

 
SERVICE DETAILS
Included Services

Certified Mountain Guide from AAGM Mountain Guide Argentina Association.
Tents and Camp equipment
Provision of snowshoes, crampons, harness, ropes all the necesary security devices.
All the meals and lodges detailed in the program.
 
Security
The trip doesn't include medical assistance. The guides will carry a basic first-aid kit along the walks and VHF communication equipment for any emergency that could take place.
 
Transports
Transports will be done combining private and regular services.
 
Cartage Service. Carrying equipment and luggage.
We transport all the equipment and the passengers are expected to carry their own luggage, including their sleeping bags and insulating mattresses.
When we operate this Expedition for your Private Group under your own brand, we are able to provide Cartage Services to carry passenger personal belongings up to 8 kilograms per passenger.
 
More Explanations
Camino Abierto retains the right to change the itinerary or to suspend some of the activities when some climatic cause or other cause of any other nature justifies it in favor of the security of each member of the group.
The reserves days will be use in bad climate conditions case ( inside the ice camp). If the climate conditions are really good, the reserves days will be use to enjoy each part of the crossing.
No previous technical experience with crampons or snowshoes is necessary.
But it’s necessary previous experience in trekking and campsite.
 

List of Equipment and Clothes you should bring

  • Backpack 70/85 litres capacity,
  • Sleeping bag, duvet, for -20ºC,
  • Sleeping pad (therm-a-rest type recommended),
  • Interior synthetic clothes (polipropilene, lifa o capilene): 1 long-sleeved shirt, 1 long pant,
  • 1 cotton t-shirt,
  • 1 pant of polar fiber,
  • 1 polar fiber jacket or coat,
  • Goretex jacket with hood or similar,
  • Goretex shell pants with full-length sided zippers,
  • 1 pair of gaiters,
  • 2 pairs of wool or synthetic mittens,
  • waterproof mitten shells (goretex or similar),
  • 1 pair of thin synthetic gloves,
  • 2 pairs of thick synthetic socks, polar fiber or wool,
  • 2 pairs of synthetic liner thin socks,
  • Ski sticks, telescopic type,
  • Thin scarf or handkerchief for your neck,
  • Balaclava of wool or polar fiber,
  • Cap of wool or polar fiber,
  • Sunglasses with UV filter for high solar radiation,
  • Snow goggles,
  • Sun protector creme for skin (factor 30) and for lips (balm),
  • Thermo or plastic bottle,
  • Wide adhesive tape (cloth athletic),
  • Personal hygiene kit, elements reduced to minimum necessity,
  • Swiss Army knife, Victorinox or similar,
  • Headlamp (miners type, like Petzl) with batteries.
Services Not Included

Medical and Life Insurance
Tips
Air flight tickets and Airport fees and taxes
Services not detailed in the program