Trad Climbing on Cerro Pantojo in Chile

Cerro Pantojo stands tall on the border of Chile and Argentina, on the route connecting Osorno and Bariloche. This unique petrified lava tower is a top spot for moderate climbing in summer and more demanding climbing in winter, with a beautiful approach through forests of native trees such as lengas and ñirres. It boasts volcanic ash and enough snow for randoneé skis or snowshoes in winter. The Pantojo offers five pitches of V-grade climbing (or W3/W4 in winter) and climbing it is a unique way to enjoy the surrounding landscapes. On this 3-day tour, we will explore the Pantojo, and climb on its famous trad. routes.

The itinerary we will follow starts and ends in Puerto Varas. From there, we will drive down the Interlagos route to the Cardenal Samoré pass. There, we will sign up for the activity and present our documents to the international police. From there, we still have 20km more to go before we begin our trek to the Base Camp.

The trek will take us through forests of native trees, and we must carry our backpacks with everything we need for the following days. We will cross a river, and some volcanic ash, and after around 7 km, or four hours, we will reach the base camp in the plains.

On the day of the climb, we will start early. We will need about an hour to reach the start of the route, from there an easy climb of about 50 meters will take us to the gutter and a complete first view. From there, we will reach the ridge that will take us to the last climb between blocks and loose rock. The route in summer conditions is graded V as per UIAA classifications, with a 5.7 climbing grade in Yosemite climbing. In winter, the route becomes completely alpine. The approach will require ski touring or snowshoes, and it will be necessary to use ice axes and crampons (difficulty WI3 to Wi4).

In order to join this tour, you need to have experience and knowledge of climbing and rappelling. You don't need to have a high rock climbing grade or experience in trad climbing, but you do need to know rappelling and belaying techniques. Additionally, you will need to be physically fit and ready for adventure!

If you would like to climb the stunning Cerro Pantojo in Chile, then contact us today and we can start planning your adventure!