Central Andes Alpine Climbs (trip)
Central Andes Alpine Climbs
- Airport, Chile near Santiago, Chile
- Active & Adventure
| from $2,800* per person | 9 Days | January |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Aventuras Patagonicas | 12 people max | |
This trip is perfect for those who want to gain mountaineering skills and high altitude experience, prefer a shorter trip, or just wish to acclimatize to the Andes. Beginners and experienced climbers alike will enjoy these climbs. Each peak has an easy/moderate route on easy snow, and a challenging technical variation, to the summit.
Mules will carry our gear to each Base Camp, and to High Camp on El Plomo. We will carry our own loads to High Camp on La Paloma, but will be able to climb with a daypack on the rest of all 3 peaks.
We begin our trip by climbing La Paloma (16,269') and El Altar (17,610'), two fantastic peaks only a day away from the city of Santiago. At the base, we will be in the presence of magnificent hanging glaciers, surrounding glacial peaks, and the technical South Face of El Altar.
After 4 days of climbing we will return to Santiago to rest and recover, departing again the next morning for our 3rd and final objective, El Plomo, (18,018'). El Plomo is to Santiago what Mt Rainier is to Seattle, a symbol which rises an impressive 17,000' over the city. Surrounded by glaciers, El Plomo is the most attractive peak in the Central Andes close to Santiago.
We begin with a short hike to Piedra Numerada, where mules carry our gear. Then we move to our High Camp at 13,800' at the base of El Plomo's hanging glacier. This glacier offers both a fantastic 12-pitch route on moderate ice, as well as an easy trail to the right, the "Normal Route". On the way to the summit we will see an ancient mummy sanctuary built by the Incas centuries ago. From the summit is one of the most magnificent views of the Chilean Central Andes, encompassed by 20,000' peaks, including Aconcagua, Juncal, Tupungato, and many more.
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Locations visited/nearby
Chile, South America
Itinerary
Day 01Group meets in Santiago. Equipment check and afternoon briefing at the hotel. For dinner we will have a chance to taste fine Chilean cuisine and wine.
Day 02
Drive east from Santiago towards Farellones. We stop at Villa Paulina, (about 5,000') where we will start walking. Mules will carry most of our gear. After a full day following the Yerba Loca Valley we arrive to our base camp at 9,900'. Spectacular views of two of our main objectives; La Paloma and El Altar.
Day 03
Move to Camp 1. Several options are possible depending on the route we choose. Most likely we will climb a steep glacier on La Paloma's West Face, challenging snow and ice climbing. If conditions are not good we will climb the standard route on the northwest flank of the mountain.
Day 04
Summit day of La Paloma and El Altar. It will be a long day. After reaching the col between both peaks, at about 16,000', we climb up to El Altar's summit via the exposed north ridge, down to the col, and up again to La Paloma's summit, a short summit push from the col. Descent to Camp 1.
Day 05
Descend to Villa Paulina and drive to Farellones ski resort at 7,260'. Stay at mountain lodge. Shower and dinner.
Day 06
Our next objective is to climb El Plomo, a Central Andes giant of 18,000'. Walk to Piedra Numerada. Mules again take our gear.
Day 07
Hike to La Hoya, at the base of El Plomo. Impressive views of the Hiver Glacier. The Hiver will ideally be our line but it will depend on conditions and group strength. This is an impressive and technical ice route. Moderate snow route alternatives lie to the right of the Hiver.
Day 08
Summit day! After reaching the summit the descent is quickly made down the normal route to our camp.
Day 09
Descend to Farellones, and possibly all the way to Santiago. Celebration dinner.
Next Day
Fly back home or continue traveling in South America.
More information from Aventuras Patagonicas:
- View trip on provider's website
www.patagonicas.com/central-andes-alpine-climbs/… - Company profile, experience, and history
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