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Cerro Torre, 1-on-1 climb with a local guide in El Chalten (5-7 days)

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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, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec

Extremely Fit

Advanced


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

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Transport during the trip

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

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.


About the 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 Treu

Ryan George

5.00

May, 2023

Indio is a boss. He knows everything about argentine patagonia and was an extremely solid guide. Furthermore, he's personable and makes for a nice partner in the downtimes. Although I'm very experienced, I learned some new alpine techniques from him. And when I had a housing snafu, he helpfully stepped in with recommendations, including a backcountry hut that ended up being my favorite part of the whole trip. I gave the trip four stars because we fell far short of my goals due to weather. Pretty much everyone left patagonia disappointed that summer, but our choices were *extra* conservative; we turned back after summitting Guillamet even though other (guided) groups were continuing through motocross.

Jean-Laurent Casanova

5.00

04/30/2023

Indio is a fantastic mountain guide and my 7 weeks in El Chalten were wonderful. Despite a capricious weather we climbed many summits including St Exupery and Guillaumet. Indio also always managed to take advantage of shorter weather windows to climb a route on a wall nearby. This was my best Alpine climbing experience ever 👍.

Lawrence Carter

5.00

March, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Ariel Nathanson

5.00

February, 2020

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!

Elaine Mau

5.00

January, 2020

Indio was an amazing guide! I am safe and sound on the ground now :) He was very knowledgeable about the terrain and weather patterns; he changed plans, urged me to move faster accordingly. He answered all my questions and was really patient with my slowness. As for the climb, it's a great intro to Alpine world. I'm primarily a rock climber, so the ice/snow part was all new. The ice/snow part was strenuous, but doable as a completely newbie, and basically you can be pulled up or lowered if you're struggling. Approach was long, rocky, and windy. What a great experience. Highly recommend Indio and the climb!

Brian Banta

5.00

January, 2018

Indio is an awesome guide and all around great guy. The trip up Aguja Guillaumet is absolutely amazing, we took the Comensana-Fonrouge route cause the Amy coluoir was in bad condition. Indio found a two day window of good weather for the climb. He also spent a day climbing in town to go over "systems" and gauge my ability. A great trip I will never forget. Can't say enough good things about Indio!

Lisa McCarthy & Mark Dabbs

5.00

February, 2017

Our trip with Indio over the Ice Cap was fantastic. At the pre-departure meeting, Indio showed us several variations which helped us make decisions that allowed us to work out a way to still participate (I had an injury, therefore a low fitness level).Indio showed great patience; he adjusted the pace accordingly and his experience was evident over the course of a week. The weather was kind and allowed us outstanding views on the Glacier and from the many various high points along the way. We particularly enjoyed the rock scrambling and dodging the many crevasses! Our group was good humoured and worked well as a team; my partner and I felt we were with a group of friends, rather than a private guided trip. I'd recommend Indio for anyone considering this type of adventure.

Eoin, from Ireland

5.00

January, 2017

I had a great time with Indio, although the weather was bad in El Chaltén. We had summit attempt to Guillaumet, but huge wind stopped us. Indio then made possible a speed ascent of Cerro Electrico, while very few climbers make any ascents. And we also enjoyed great rock climbing days near the town.

Sébastien

5.00

April, 2015

Beautiful moment shared. First summit in the Fitzroy line. Magical and fascinating place. We climbed through the route Amy for the summit Guillaumet. Indio is the perfect, Professional and passionate, he's a perfect guide to do quality with security. Next time, we plan to clim both pics: Cerro Torres and Fitzroy. Enjoy seb

Frédéric

4.00

May, 2014

Beautiful experience, profesional guiding, excellent group, perfect climate, what else do you need. Thanks to Indio for his professional skills has Guide and thanks to Explore&Hare for the service and this unforgettable opportunity. Fred

Indio

5.00

April, 2014

Gracias por los comentarios, la pasamos muy bien en la Ascensión. un muy buen grupo y divertidos!!

Charles

5.00

April, 2014

Indio is a very friendly and skillful guide who brought us on the top of the wonderful Cerro Solo. No doubt it's the best way to explore Patagonia!

Guillaume

5.00

April, 2014

If you think of organising a trip to the "6miles" in Catamarca, I am in! Thanks for your guiding tour around "El Chalten"!

Nicolas

5.00

April, 2014

With Indio you will surely spend a great time! Very professional and friendly. I recommend him. He guided me to the top of Cerro Solo in El Chaltén, Patagonia, Argentina. I am looking forward to going with you for a coming expedition in San Juan province.

Gauthier

5.00

March, 2014

Thanks for bringing us to Cerro Solo (el Chalten)! It has been a wonderful adventure! I'll come back or maybe we see each other in your region, San Juan, to climb some volcanos...! Take care, Gauthier


 

 

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