Las Peinetas, 2-day Winter mountaineering ascent with ice climbing near Pucón

I was matched with Renato Esteban Rodriguez Parra Huaraz (License No. 155-22 w/IFMGA) who took me to Palestras, El Manzano, in Cajon del Maipo. Renato organized a taxi to pick me up and drop me off right at my hotel/airbnb. He was an amazing guide, who helped me push myself when I needed encouragement, gave beta when I felt stuck, and gave tips on how to properly prepare for the day of climbing. (Sunscreen, shoes, food, clothes, and gear). Renato was able to suggest difficult but doable routes based on what I told him for my level of climbing. I felt safe the entire time, I didn’t feel pressured to lead, he gave great recommendations for Santiago and the surrounding area, as knows a good bit about it such as fun things to do, and what areas are safe. His English is very good, there were almost no moments of misunderstanding each other due to a language barrier. In addition to climbing, has a passion for hip hop, and music. He regaled me with quite a few fun stories of living in the Santiago area. I’d say I’ve my one day climbing with him, my Spanish and my climbing improved. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide.

Great day out

Cristóbal was a phenomenal guide. Couldn’t have asked for a better week. Relaxed, fun and very enjoyable.

I had been guided on this tour in the beginning of September for 3 days, one in the backcountry off Valley Nevado, one touring from La Parva base, and for the last we drove to Portillo. Weather was perfect even last significant snowfall was more than 2 weeks back. Being in Chile for the first time and in opposite season, my goal was to get ready for the winter, gain new skills and absorb the culture. The experience started with Explore-Share, who matched me with the guide even the tour was shown as not available for the dates I selected, and guide still accepted. I then hesitated to commit but all my doubts were cleared through communication. Kudos to Explore-Share. In my case, two guides had collaborated in background addressing my pre-trip needs, where I did not want to fly my skis and needed to select the best logging, which did help to get the best experience. All further uncertainties were cleared the day before the start, when my guide went an extra mile trying to select the best ski for me. I had a rental car and stayed in Farellones, and in short, the two first day’s tours met and exceeded my expectations. We ski toured, boot packed with crampons, and mountaineered (using Ice axes) to beautiful places, and of course skied off-piste. I had been pushed to but not over my limits. The pretty part of the private tour is that the guide had always adjusted to my desires, even not expressed explicitly, while selecting the best places to go, so each day ended up with a cheer. Conditions were good overall, even mostly packed snow at the attitude and spring conditions at the bottom. The last day was special as we decided to drive 3 hours to Portillo, and I would advise everybody to not limit themselves to Tres Valles. Portillo, as a premium and historic resort, with unique views and lifts, bring a possibility to ski steeps in a relatively safe manner, and with my guide, who also happened to be a staffer there, we had great time. Therefore, a superb experience overall. Thanks for organizing.