Cerro Torre, 1-on-1 climb with a local guide in El Chalten (5-7 days)
Join Indio, IFMGA and AAGM-certified mountain guide, on this once-in-a-lifetime expedition to the top of Cerro Torre in El Chaltén, Patagonia, Argentina.
Private
Andes
5 Days
Jan - Mar, Nov, Dec
Very high
Highlights
* Summiting Cerro Torre gives you a deep sense of personal achievement
* The experienced mountain guide is IFMGA and AAGM-certified
* Take in breathtaking scenery during the climb
Description
Cerro Torre is a legendary climb, and reaching its summit is a dream for experienced rock climbers.
Torre means tower in Spanish, and upon seeing the dramatic shape of this peak, you won’t wonder why. Its elevation is more than 3,000 meters at its highest point. For a long time, it was considered unscalable, and the first undisputed ascent wasn’t until 1974.
This is a one-on-one trip with an experienced and qualified mountain guide. It’s an intense journey, and the challenging nature of it guarantees a deep sense of fulfillment when you reach the summit. Looking around at the breathtaking Patagonian scenery, inspiration is inevitable.
Book now to embark on a life-changing journey ascending Cerro Torre, and be part of the history of this fabled peak.
For an intermediate-level trip near El Chaltén, check out this ascent of Cerro Vespignani. For a challenging 3-day trip, you might like this Aguja Poincenot guided climbing trip.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
Price details
Price includes: UIAGM/IFMGA certified guide, expedition meals, tent, cooking gear, group technical equipment, GPS, VHF and satellite communication, individual technical
equipment (helmet, harness, crampons, safety carabiners, ice axes). NOT included: sleeping bag, insulation mat, high mountain boots, climbing shoes, backpack,
technical clothing, meals outside the expedition, hotel.
Itinerary
Day 1: Day 1
We drive to the bridge of Rio Eléctrico where we start a 2-hour hike to Piedra del Fraile camp.
Then we continue hiking a demanding trail between moraines and glaciers, ascending 950m of
altitude and walking 12km of distance in about 6 hours, to our first camp at Paso Marconi in the
Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Day 2: Day 2
We start early in the morning moving to the Circo de los Altares s at the foot of Cerro Torre.
Then we begin ascending snow ramps that take us to the first part of the climb, a mixed climbing
section (rock and ice). After this, we arrive at the Advanced camp of the so-called Filo Roso. An
intense day of about 15km of route and with a moderate to hard climbing of 150m.
Day 3: Day 3
Approximately at midnight, we start climbing towards the summit, reaching first the Col of
Hope, then overcoming the Elmo formation (ice of particular hardness and shape), and later climbing
the blue and hard ice of the so-called headwall. Then we finally reach the base of the famous
mushroom of Cerro Torre. Only 30m of very exposed climbing, because the consistency of the ice,
separate us from the summit. If the weather helps and we keep a good pace, we will be at the summit
in the afternoon. After enjoying its views, we start with the hard work of rappelling, where we will have
to spend the rest of the day and the next morning until we reach the camp.
Day 4: Day 4
After a short nap we start our return to the Marconi pass where we will spend another night.
Day 5: Day 5
We return from the Marconi Pass to town following the same tracks as the first day.
Details
More info
The climbing level for this tour is: Ice- W5 Mixed- M4
This is an extremely challenging climb and an extra 1-2 days may be necessary depending on the client's fitness level, climatic conditions, etc. The day before the expedition there´s a brief meeting with the guide to check equipment and arrange last-minute details. The route normally chosen is on the west side of Cerro Torre: Via dei Ragni (Ragni Route). 600m, 90º, M4.
This climb is definitely not suitable for beginners or intermediate climbers, but for the advanced only. Due to the difficulty of the logistics and the high level of fitness and expertise required, there are only 2 or 3 guides, nowadays, that take clients up to this summit and that I can really recommend. This means that you need to book this trip months in advance. Each guide will take only 1 client. Although this summit is reached in 3/4/5 days only, you need a month (with a guide available for you the whole month) to wait for the perfect weather window. During this month, you will do some practice climbs near town. This is not cheap, it has a cost of about 12.000 USD. If the weather is unsuitable, then the guide will take you up to other fascinating mountains in the area such as Aguja Guillaumet or Aguja Poincenot, and refund you for the price difference if applicable.
Meeting point
FAQs
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Indio
4.80
(21)
Mountain Guide
I am an IFMGA and a High Mountain AAGM certified Mountain Guide. I was born in San Juan, where I found my passion for the mountains when I was a child. Today my home is El Chalten, this magical place where I have my family and where I work and live since 2008.
I have climbed many different peaks along the Andes, as well as in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, France, Spain, Germany Italy, Austria and Switzerland. I have climbed great mountains and new routes in Patagonia, both in Cerro Torre and in the Fitz Roy mountains. I climbed Mount Fitz Roy five times and Mount Torre three times. All of them through different routes and some of them opening a new one.
One of my biggest achievements was the Standhardt - Herron - Egger traverse and the "Directa Huarpe" new route, on the west face of Cerro Torre. As well as climbing the Tehuelche route on the Fitz Roy hill in 16 hours.
I also guide in the Central Andes, in places such as Cerro Mercedario and Vallecitos in Mendoza, among other mountains. I am also a Mountaineering and Climbing instructor in different associations and member of the relief committee at the Club Andino Mercedario of the San Juan Province. I am also a member of the technical committee of the Argentine Association of Mountain Guides, in which I am part of the staff of instructors for IFMGA guides.
I guide my clients mainly in Patagonia. I spend summer in the town of El Chalten and I move to Bariloche, in northern Patagonia, in the winter, where I guide more technical excursions, like ice and/or rock climbing, as well as classic mountaineering ascents. During the year I also guide in the mountains of Peru, Bolivia and in Europe.
Even when I’m not working I enjoy climbing, bouldering, sport skiing and mountaineering. Keeping at my highest level of performance helps me ensure my clients’ safety, that is always my top priority.
Languages
English
Certificates
AAGM | IVBV | UIAGM | IFMGA
What people are saying about Indio
Diogo
5.00
Due to bad weather, we had to move the day of the climb, and instead of Indio, Pipa took me to the walls across the river in the Paredon de Los Condores. We had a great day of climbing; Pipa was super chilled and knowledgeable, sharing a lot of helpful tips and guiding me up the wall. We started with easy climbs and kept progressing until maxing it out. I had a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to doing other climbs with Pipa whenever I get a chance to visit Chalten again. Highly recommend.
Sunny
5.00
Had a great time!
Charles
5.00
(Not Indio) Juan was a very kind and knowledgeable guide. He knew exactly where to take us for warmups and hard climbing routes. His professionalism and attention to detail was clear on the multi pitch route we did - we felt safe and in control the entire time. Juan was also fun and we ended up with tons of local recommendations for things to do for the remainder of our trip. Thank you Patagonia Ascents. Communication was good, attention to detail was great.
5.00
Indio was a fun and skillful guide! My friend and I did multi and single pitch with him and felt very safe. We felt like we were climbing with a friend and learned along the way! We will be back, maybe next time mountaineering with Indio!
5.00
If you think of organising a trip to the "6miles" in Catamarca, I am in! Thanks for your guiding tour around "El Chalten"!
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