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Paso Marconi 4-day glacier trekking trip

Paso Marconi 4-day glacier trekking trip 2
Paso Marconi 4-day glacier trekking trip 3
Paso Marconi 4-day glacier trekking trip 4
Paso Marconi 4-day glacier trekking trip 5

Paso Marconi is one of the most imposing ways to enter the Patagonian Ice Field, in El Chaltén. Enjoy a unique 4-day glacier trek accompanied by local IFMGA-certified guide Manuel.

Not specified

Andes

4 Days

Jan - Mar, Dec

Fit

Beginner


Description

Today I'd like to invite you to a 4-day glacier trek during which you'll admire the most indescribable views of South Patagonia. Paso Marconi or Marconi Pass is the "port of entry" to the famous Patagonian Ice Field.

This expedition runs between the wildest landscapes of ice, snow and rocks. You'll witness a virgin snow plateau surrounded by the less known faces of the Patagonian peaks. As your local guide with a vast knowledge of these lands I can guarantee it'll be the trip of a lifetime!

During this fantastic adventure we'll get to the Paso Marconi by the Marconi Glacier. It is not necessary to have experience in mountaineering although if you know how to use crampons and snowshoes it's a plus.

good physical condition is mandatory. Keep in mind we must face long walking days and quite steep slopes. In addition to that, each participant have to carry their backpacks. The average weight of the backpack is 20 to 25 kg. There is also the option of hiring porters.

You'll find more details of the day by day itinerary at the bottom of this description. This program includes a back up day and a resting day to be used according to weather conditions. We may spend some of these days in the camp “La Playita”.

Want to join me on this 4-day glacier trek? So fill out the form and contact me now. I'll give you all the details so you can book your places before they run out! Let's live a unique Patagonian experience.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transport during the trip


Itinerary

Day 1: Meeting in El Chaltén

Meeting in El Chaltén, located at the foot of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. We’ll have the equipment checked, making sure we have everything we’ll need. We will then have a brief talk to explain the characteristics of the region and the most important details to take into account during the expedition. We’ll check in at our Hotel / Hostel and meet for a group dinner. Lamb roasted with a good wine will be the menu.

Day 2: Electrico River - Marconi Glacier

Private transfer to the Bridge of the Electrico River that will be our starting point for our first day of trekking to the base of the Marconi Glacier. For the first 2 hours we’ll walk along a well marked path that follows the Electrico River through a forest of Ñires and Lengas. At the end of the vegetation we will find the Piedra del Fraile Camp, which will be our last contact with the civilization until arriving at El Chaltén at the end of the expedition.

There we will leave the vegetation behind and a wide glacial valley will open in front of us to let us see the Cerro Treinta Aniversario and the Marconi’s North and South. From Piedra del Fraile we will skirt the Eléctrico Lake by its southern bank crossing glacier moraines and rock formations eroded and abandoned by the Marconi Glacier. Less than two hours away we will have to follow the Pollone River from where we can observe one of the highest walls of Mount Fitz Roy. One more hour of walk will take us to the West bank of the Electrico Lake where we will set up camp only 20 minutes from the Marconi Glacier, which we can visit after a well deserved rest. All meals included. Total walking time: 6 hours. Distance: 12 Km. Altitude change: 80 m.

Day 3: Paso Marconi / Marconi Pass

Today is an important day. The Marconi Glacier and the Marconi Pass are the accesses to the Patagonian Ice. The majority of the winds come from the west or north and when arriving at this pass they are accelerated by the “bottleneck” effect. We will get up early, have breakfast, disarm the camp and leave. Depending on ice conditions we will take one route or the other to climb the Marconi Glacier. If we go to the Laguna de los 14, we will cross a fairly large river with zip lines. Once on the Marconi Glacier, we will find a combination of ice and rock. Now we must put the harnesses and crampons on and use ropes. After a section of 35 to 40 degrees of snow or ice plus an hour of walk, we’ll arrive at the Marconi Pass. The landscape takes our breath away. We’ll appreciate the Kolliker, Gaea, Mariano Moreno and the Lautaro Volcano. We will set up camp in an area passing the Paso Marconi, on continental ice or we can go to the Gorra Blanca Hut, depending on the weather and group conditions. All meals included. Walking time: 7 to 9 hours. Distance: 10 km. Altitude change: + 900 mts.

Day 4: La Playita

After breakfast we’ll disarm camp and start the descent. On the way down we can appreciate the west face of Mount Fitz Roy and its nearby needles. The goal of the day will be reaching “La Playita” camp where we’ll spend the night.

Day 5: Back to El Chaltén

We’ll return to El Chaltén by the same route. According to the physical condition of the group we can enter the Pollone River Valley to admire its homonymous needle. We will then pass by Piedra del Fraile and after 2 hours our transfer will be waiting in the bridge of the Electrico River to take us back town.

 

About the guide

Guide profile image

Manuel

5.00

(2)

Mountain Guide

UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide from Argentina

Based in El Chaltén, south Patagonia, since 2000. I was the first guide to complete the AAGM (Argentine Mountain Guides Association) complete training platform.

I did the first Argentinean guided ascent of Mt. Fitz Roy via Supercolouir route (la Supercanaleta). I have guided Aguja Guillaumet more than 25 times. I also guided Aconcagua, Alpamayo (Peru), Matterhorn (Switzerland), Mont Blanc, Dent du Geant (France), The Rockies & The Bugaboos (Canada), Torres del Paine (Chile), among others.

I am also member of El Chaltén Search and Rescue team. I have several WFR certificates with different schools such as NOLS & Fundacion Ecomed.

I speak Spanish, English and French fluently

My biggest passion is Alpine Rock climbing & Ski Mountaineering. Get in touch with me if you are interested in discovering the unique spots in the Fitz Roy massif, and other gems around El Chaltén! I work together with a group of guides, so if I'm not available when requested, one of my colleagues will guide you.

Languages

French | English

Certificates

AAGM | UIAGM | IFMGA

Request more information

What people are saying about Manuel

Erik

5.00

Our Guide Juan did an excellent job . He was courteous, informative and a pleasure to spend the day with . He’s an experienced climber and knows his way around the mountains . I would definitely contact Juan again for any future adventures . Well worth every penny !

Preetha

5.00

Manuel was very knowledgeable and worked with me with what I wanted to climb and learn. With his help, I climbed my first multi-pitch route! Would definitely recommend!


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