12-day Ski touring in southern Patagonia: Cerro Castillo (Coyhaique, Chile) & El Chaltén, Argentina

Enjoy ski touring in southern Patagonia and discover the pristine snow terrain in Cerro Castillo and El Chaltén on this 12-day program led by AAGM mountain guide Merlín.

Andes

11 Days

Aug - Oct

High

Intermediate

Highlights

* Have a wonderful time ski touring in southern Patagonia.

* Discover the remote areas around Cerro Castillo and El Chaltén.

* Contemplate incredible views of the lakes, glaciers and peaks in the Andes.

Description

Follow me on this 12-day adventure in Cerro Castillo and El Chaltén and enjoy ski touring in southern Patagonia.

Situated in the Aysén region of Chile, Cerro Castillo is a mountain in the Andes range and a wonderful destination to enjoy ski touring and backcountry skiing. The base for our runs in this area will be the new Cerro Castillo Refuge, in the small Cerro Castillo Village.

On a long but very scenic day of driving, we’ll cross the border from Cerro Castillo Village to El Chaltén, mostly through the famous “40 road”. In El Chaltén, in the Argentinean province of Santa Cruz, we can enjoy climbing and skiing while admiring incredible views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers.

The following are some of the skiing possibilities: Loma del Diablo, Cerro Vespignani, Cerro Crestón or Cerro Madsen. These are very remote and seldom visited places from where we can contemplate Fitz Roy and the surrounding glaciers.

For a more detailed description of each day's activities, take a look below. However, consider that this is only a guide. The itinerary might vary due to weather or snow conditions.

Please, keep in mind that it’s mandatory for this program to have ski touring experience and a very good level of fitness. To approach the skiing area, we’ll need to carry our skis with us.

So, does this ski touring adventure in southern Patagonia sound exciting? Then don’t hesitate to send the request and make your reservation for this trip. You won’t regret your choice!

Looking for a shorter program? Then check out this 4-day ski touring trip that I lead in El Chaltén.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transport during the trip

- Porters

Price details

Not included: flights, personal equipment, personal insurance, restaurant meals, drinks, tips, any service not specified.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - Cerro Castillo Village

On day 1, we’ll meet at Coyhaique Airport and drive to Cerro Castillo Village. We’ll have a brief on the lodge and check the equipment.

Day 2: Portezuelo Ibáñez

On our first day of skiing, we’ll drive to “Portezuelo Ibáñez” and explore different valleys. If the conditions are good, we’ll make 2-3 ski runs during the day.

Accommodation: Cerro Castillo Village.

Day 3: Camp Neozelandés in Cerro Castillo

On day 3, we’ll carry our personal equipment and the porters will
carry the camping equipment and food, to help us on the approach Camp Neozelandés in Cerro Castillo. This will take around 3-4 hs. Optional skiing in the afternoon.

Day 4: Skiing in Cerro Castillo

There will be several ski options according to weather and snow conditions. We’ll enjoy a full day of skiing in Cerro Castillo.

Night in Camp Neozelandés.

Day 5: Cerro Castillo Village

On day 5, we’ll have the possibility to enjoy ski touring in the morning and then head back to Cerro Castillo Village in the afternoon.

Lodging at Cerro Castillo Village.

Day 6: Driving day

This will be a long day on the road. The route goes along the Buenos Aires Lake and then through the historical “40 Road”.

Driving time: 12-14hs.

Accommodation in El Chaltén.

Day 7: Loma del Diablo

Our morning will begin with a drive to Mosquito Creek and then we’ll hike carrying the skis to the starting point. We will enjoy skiing in “Loma del Diablo” (1,800 meters).

Vertical gain: 1200 meters.

Accommodation in El Chaltén.

Day 8: Huemul Glacier - Cerro Vespignani

We’ll drive to Lago del Desierto (1,5 hours) and hike to Laguna Huemul to approach the base of Huemul Glacier ( 1 to 1,5 hours). With our skins on, we’ll go to Cerro Vespignani (2,146 meters). This descent will be fantastic, with breathtaking views surrounding us.

Vertical gain: 1,500 meters.
Lodging at El Chaltén.

Day 9: Glacier de los Tres

On this day, we’ll drive to “El Pilar” and start the approach to Fitz Roy Basecamp (3 hours). After setting
camp, we’ll carry our skis across steep rocky terrain to Laguna de los Tres. Then, we’ll cross a frozen lake and enjoy skiing in Glacier de los Tres, the closest you can get to Fitz Roy Mountain!

Night at Camp Poincenot.

Day 10: Cerro Madsen

After breakfast, we´ll return to Laguna de Los Tres, and skin up Cerro Madsen (1,806 meters), where we’ll get to see fantastic views of the Piedras Blancas Glacier. Back to the camp and hike back to El Chaltén.

Vertical Gain: 1,000 meters.

Farewell dinner with a good “Asado” (traditional barbecue).

Accommodation in El Chaltén.

Day 11: Departure

Transfer to El Calafate Airport. End of the services.

Details

More info

EQUIPMENT LIST:

Backpacks 30 and 50 liters
Sleeping Bag and sleeping mattress (Therm-a-Rest recommended)
Headlamp
Water bottle and small thermos flask
Trekking shoes
Merino or synthetic base layers
Mid layer fleece and Windstopper
Down or synthetic hooded jacket
2 pairs of gloves
Warm hut and buff
Extra socks
Waterproof pants and Jacket (Gore-Tex)
Lens and goggles
Sunblock and lip protection
Ski touring set: Skis, skins, boots, ski crampons, collapsible poles.
Crampons and Ice Axe
Harness and Helmet
Safety avalanche set: Shovel, beacon, probe

NOTE: If you need to rent some of these items, please let us know in advance.

Meeting point

Coyhaique Airport.

About the guide

Merlín

5.0

(83)

Mountain Guide

Certified UIAGM-IFMGA Mountain Guide from Argentina.

I live in El Chaltén since 1998. I'm originally from Bariloche and I started with mountain activities when I was 15 years old. I've done climbing and ascents in many mountains of Patagonia, Perú, Bolivia, United States and Europe; such as Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Alpamayo, El Capitán, Mont Blanc and Aconcagua among others. I'm also a Ski Instructor and I am passionate for backcountry ski.

I speak fluent English, Italian and French and have been leading trips and expeditions for more than 20 years. I work together with a group of guides, so if I'm not available for the trip you request, one of my colleagues will guide you!

Certificates

AAGM | UIAGM

Request more information

What people are saying about Merlín

Merlin is everything you would expect from a professional mountain guide and more. He will push you hard when on the move and is happy when you succeed. I highly recommend his service in the mountains and the accommodations he offers in town. Would be my first Choice for our next trip!

Had a great trip with Merlin and looking forward to a return trip next year. Highly recommended to anyone looking to explore the mountains near El Chalten or wherever he happens to be guiding.

We came to El Chalten late season (mid to late May) and wandered into Merlin's office hoping to find an open climbing guide. We discussed options with him given the upcoming weather and our abilities and ended up doing a day of sport climbing and a day of mountaineering on Cerro Madsen. Through both adventures he was knowledgeable, friendly, and safe. He encouraged us through the entire climb and even brought some treats for the top. I would highly recommend Mountaineering Patagonia if you are in search of a guide.

Had a great trip with Merlin and looking forward to a return trip next year. Highly recommended to anyone looking to explore the mountains near El Chalten or wherever he happens to be guiding.

Merlin is everything you would expect from a professional mountain guide and more. He looked after our creature comforts in camp with hot tea and hot meals not from a package. He will push you hard when on the move and is happy when you succeed. I highly recommend his service in the mountains and the accommodations he offers in town. Would be my first Choice for our next trip!