Climbing Cerro Solo, El Chaltén
Are you up for a challenge? Then let Indio, UIAGM certified mountain guide, lead you on the climb of Cerro Solo, in the heart of beautiful Patagonia.
Not specified
Andes
2 Days
Jan, Feb, Mar
Description
Few people choose the ascent of the Cerro Solo during their stay at El Chaltén. It is a great alternative if you have few days, want to do a demanding and technical expedition and have good luck with the weather. Demanding because you climb 1300 m in one day. Technical because the top is a glacier with slopes of 50° and the bottom has a lot of moving rocks.
If you plan this ascent, be flexible because of common bad weather. You could need to wait in El Chaltén some days before the start or need to do another expedition if you have no time to lose.
El Chaltén is one of the key spots for trekking in South America. It is a place where it is worth spending some time to immerse yourself in the End-of-the-world/trekking/hippie atmosphere.
This expedition is very demanding, so it is better to have good knowledge of roped glacier walking.
I propose the following program.
Day 1
Starting from El Chalten. The first part of the trek is the popular trail to Laguna Torre. Fitz Roy river viewpoint is the first break during the first day. We can also have a break at the end to enjoy the view on the Solo. The viewpoint of Cerro Torre is the second stop during the first day. If the weather is good, there is a nice view on Cerro Solo and Cerro Torre.
We will reach Laguna Torre, where there is a tyrolean on the river. The adventure starts here! There is a fixed rope in order to cross the river. You will need the equipment to make your own tyrolean.
We camp in a lenga forest at the bottom of the Cerro Solo. Close to a river to have drinkable water and in the forest to be protected from the wind.
Day 2
From the forest to the glacier, it is full of rolling stones. We will use helmets. It is recommended to use a rope in some parts. Reaching the glacier, there are seracs and crevasses. We will use a rope and all the required glacier equipment. From here we start to have great views on the Fitz Roy. Then we continue along the cliff that drives to the summit. We follow the bottom of the cliff and then along a serac that cuts the glacier in two.
The first section is very inclined, about 50°. We have to be very precise with our crampons and picks, above all during the descent. The second part is more flat. This is the last section until the summit! The summit of Cerro Solo is 2100 m above sea level. There are unique views on the Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Viedma glacier, El Chaltén, Laguna del Desierto, Viedma lake and many other famous spots of the region. We spend the night at Prestadores de Servicios Camp.
Does this adventure to climb Cerro Solo in El Chaltén sound tempting? Then please contact me, I would love being your guide in this area!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Transport during the trip
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Details
Accommodation We will sleep in tents.
If you need a hotel in El Chalten, I recommend Posada El Barranco. It's nice, simple and modern. Absolutely recommendable to rest before starting the expedition. |
More info To get there, Calafate airport is the easiest to go get close to El Chalten. From there you can go by coach or renting a car to El Chalten. You can rent most of the trekking equipment in El Chalten: crampons, ice axes, trekking sticks, backpacks, rigid shoes for crampons. You need a bag of around 50 L. La Tapera is a very cosy restaurant where you can fill in your batteries. We can go before or after the expedition. Nice fire in the center of the main room. A mix between Switzerland and Buenos Aires, wood, good steak and pictures from Maradona. |
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.
What people are saying about this trip
You may also like
Find more mountaineering trips in Argentina
Join our newsletter!
Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.