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The Gorra Blanca guided Ski Touring

The Gorra Blanca guided Ski Touring
The Gorra Blanca guided Ski Touring
The Gorra Blanca guided Ski Touring
The Gorra Blanca guided Ski Touring

Merlín is an expert mountain guide from the Patagonia. He has planned this amazing 5-day guided ski touring and mountaineering trip in the Gorra Blanca, a real challenge only suitable for advanced skiers.

Not specified

Andes

5 Days

Oct, Nov

Fit

Advanced


Description

For those skiers wanting a great challenge, here I bring you a big ski touring goal: the Gorra Blanca. 

The Gorra Blanca is a mountain located on the Patagonian Ice Cap. It is easily accessible thanks to its proximity to Paso Marconi. Moreover, climbing it does not represent technical difficulty. However, it is usually considered a sustained-level mountain. That is due to its geographical location, laying continually on glacial surface.

And there we go! To a 5-day ski touring trip in the Gorra Blanca. It is a challenge only suitable for skiers with a perfect physical training and a vast ski touring experience. Then, you can find here below all the day-by-day details.

ITINERARY

Day 1: La Playita

A transfer will take us to Río Eléctrico, the trail-head. Then, after 2 hiking hours, we’ll be in “Piedra del Fraile”. It is a private campsite with services available. Once we get there, 3 more hours await to our next campsite “La Playita”. Night in there.

Day 2: Paso Marconi

In the second day we’ll hike up 1.550 meters high, to “Paso Marconi”. The total walk will take about 8 to 10 hours with an elevation gained of 1.000 meters. To reach this objective we’ll must count on a very nice weather. In that way, you can admire the amazing views of the Mount Fitz Roy and the main star Gorra Blanca. We will set our camp at the Gorra Blanca mountain hut. Meals included: Breakfast, Box Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3 and 4: Summit days

The Gorra Blanca summit attack (2.900 meters of altitude) will take place by its Northwest ridge (normal route). The average inclination of its ice slopes is from 30° to 40°. There is also a final hard section before the summit. However, once at the top of the Gorra Blanca you will forget about everything. If weather allows, you can enjoy a great viewpoint of the Patagonian Ice cap, the Lautaro Volcano and Mounts Fitz Roy and Torre.

And here comes the best part: the return! From the summit we’ll enjoy a superb skiing terrain for some ski touring during all the way down back to the hut. Those amazing slopes reach 1.300 meters of altitude. Therefore, I can guarantee that the descent will be really great.

In addition, we’ll count on an extra day in case weather conditions don’t let us achieve our goal. Breakfast, Box Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 4 and 5: Piedra del Fraile – El Chaltén 

Finally, we’ll return to Rio Eléctrico bridge. There, a transfer will be waiting to take us back to El Chaltén. Meals of the day: Breakfast and Box Lunch.

Available departures in October and November. So, hurry up to contact me and book your place. Join me in this ski touring challenge in Patagonia. You won’t regret!!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Transport during the trip


About the 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!

Languages

Italian | French | English

Certificates

AAGM | UIAGM


What people are saying about Merlín Lipshitz

Matthew Weiss

5.00

September, 2023

Trip of a lifetime! Merlin is great the setting is spectacular and we were blessed with perfect snow and bluebird skies. Couldn't ask for more.

Nash Smoll

5.00

September, 2023

Merlin is the man!! He made sure we got the most out of our week ski touring in El Chalten. Very memorable experience

David Milton

5.00

March, 2023

Our Guiide was Sebastian and I couldn’t recommend him high enough . He’s very personable. Knowledgeable, professional , well prepared and a pleasure to be with .

Marcial Manzano

5.00

March, 2023

Had an amazing experience climbing Mojon Rojo with Merlin. This was my first mountaineering experience and he made sure I was comfortable and safe the whole journey. He really knows his stuff both technically and about the area. If you're considering doing something like this, can't go wrong with Merlin.

Jonathan Campos

5.00

February, 2023

Had a great time climbing with el Chalten and fitz roy in the background. Merlin was very knowledgeable and made sure we stayed safe. Had great conversations as well.

Stephanie Krzyzewski

5.00

February, 2023

Merlín is an awesome guide, can’t recommend him enough. He’s easy going and fun to be around, and his method of route selection was perfect for us. We shared what we were hoping for, and once he was able to assess our skill level, he took us on a route that was right at the edge of both our skill and comfort zone. His intuition about what would be the best experience for us was spot on, and it was our favorite day of climbing we’ve ever had!

Ariana Kim

5.00

January, 2023

Juan was wonderful! Though we weren't able to do our first day due to a neck injury he had, he rallied for our second day, and we were so grateful - we checked out some of the most beautiful multi-pitch climbing I've done, with condors soaring ahead...and then did some super fun sport leads after lunch...Juan was kind, knowledgeable, and a total pro. We highly recommend Juan!

Jose Cotrim

5.00

December, 2022

It is not an easy trip you must be prepared for what the weather will be at that moment. But once said that is for sure one of the most beautiful places to visit good gear and good guiding is for sure a good start.

Tim Board

5.00

November, 2022

Brilliant climb of Cerro Electrico with Merlin! I had actually booked for a 2 day ascent of Mojon Rojo but the weather forecast didn’t allow it. As I couldn’t stay another day Merlin offered the 1 day climb of Cerro Electrico instead. I felt very safe with him all day, he has a vast experience of mountaineering in the region and beyond. I would definitely book with Merlin again.

Sebastian Becker

5.00

November, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Alfonso MARTINEZ

5.00

September, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Ben Cynewski

5.00

July, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Gülçin Altinok

5.00

February, 2022

Everything about this trip was really great. Firstly explore-share was extremely helpful, really responsive. We felt really supported making all the arrangements from Netherlands to Argentina. Thanks for the team for that! In terms of the trip -- this was one of the most special trips we ever had. Huemel circuit is was very special. You start day1 in Patagonian forests and slowly ascend to the more rugged, stoney views of the circuit until you end up in the glaciers (and walk on them!) in day 2. Day 2 is slightly challenging due to the long ascend and walk until the camp. But without being very experienced we were able to do it (also thanks to our amazing guide Luis). We camped in an area only by ourselves, where it snowed overnight, which added to the majestic beauty of the whole trip. Day 3 mainly was descending to the 3rd camp area next to Viedma lake. This was also slightly challenging given the very steep descend in the forest, but despite the challenge it was fun, and was filled with great views. The reward is big, where Viedma lake is awaiting with glacier pieces floating on the lake just in front of you (and sometimes letting go some of it’s pieces). It’s a mesmerising area. And day 4 is going back to the start through next to the lakes, hares and guanakos. slightly easier trek but very peaceful, a nice goodbye to the circuit. We were picked up by a car at the end, arranged by Merlin/Luis. In all days, we were flabbergasted by the ruggedness and beauty of Patagonian mountains, glaciers, forests, lakes and everything we've seen. We were mainly alone in the circuit -- at least in the direction we were doing there was no one else with us. In that sense it was extra special. Our guide Luis was one of the main reasons for why this trip was so special. Very experienced and friendly -- made us feel really comfortable in what we were doing through his guidance on technical moves (e.g. in traverses, when we are descending etc). Also very experienced in the area, knew the circuit step by step - gave us a lot of information on the story of the geography not just like a guide but like a scientist almost (he was full of knowledge for this space). It was obvious that he really loves these lands and mountains, it was great to experience this route with him. I never write reviews, but this was a great trip on all levels, and want to make sure anyone who sees the review doesn’t doubt and just goes for it. Thank you Luis, Merlin and explore share - for your friendliness, professionalism and love of nature. You definitely added an incredible memory to our minds. I highly recommend everyone to experience Huemel Circuit with Luis and Merlin. Gulcin and Sebastiaan

Keith Bailey

5.00

January, 2022

Emiliano was great. I have traveled all over the world with many trekking guides. He is definitely among the best. Thank you, Emiliano, for a great trip!

Tatsuya Sato

5.00

January, 2022

Merlin is a well accomplished climber, and he has shared with me his knowledge abs skills while we were climbing. Climbing Cerro Electrico was very physically demanding, but I had an amazing time climbing with him. I can’t wait to climb other peaks with him again.


 

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