Guide and group size
The ratio is 1 guide / assistant every 3 guests. The maximum group size is 9 guests, 1 guide and 2 assistants.
Difficulty and requirements
Guests should feel comfortable with the use of crampons.
These are days of lots of physically demanding. Customers must be in good physical condition.
Guests must carry a backpack with their personal gear (clothing, sleeping bag, mattress insulation, etc.), group equipment (tents, pots, heaters, etc..) and lunch. Aprox of 20 kg. It is possible to hire personal porters if necessary.
No previous mountaineering experience is necessary; however, if you have had it, it will help you.
Transportation
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to El Chalten, Argentina. You can arrange this with your personal travel agency. The easiest way is to fly to Buenos Aires (coming from abroad), then fly to El Calafate, and finally take the bus to El Chalten. If you need help, please do not hesitate to ask.
Accommodation and food
Accommodation in tents and food are provided during the expedition.
Please let us know of any allergies or special dietary needs.
During the trek, we will be sleeping in camps and 4 season tents based on double occupancy.
Weather Considerations
The fame of the area regarding strong winds and sudden change in weather conditions are not legend. Be ready to experience nature in all its beauty and power.
Itinerary
Day 0
We met our guide at 7:00 pm. to verify equipment, food, etc.
Day 1
We take our shuttle to the Eléctrico River bridge. We walk a couple of hours to Piedra del Fraile shelter. We salute the staff of the place and we restart our walk. We climb about 1000 meters over a marked path at the begining, and then over a series of glacial moraines. After about three hours we arrive in Piedra Negra bivouac, where we camp.
Day 2
We get up very early in the morning, we have breakfast and we begin the approach to Paso Guillaumet by the right (orographic) margin of the remnant glacier. Once we reach the Pass, and perhaps just at dawn, we will pass under the east walls of the needles Guillaumet, Mermoz, Val de Bois and the incredible east face of Fitz Roy. We continue our way through cracks into the Po. Superior, where surely find climbers resting or getting ready to go. We descend to Laguna de los Tres, where we spend the night.
Day 3
With no need of being an “alpine Star”, we begin our descent towards El Chalten. After a few passages of rock we start to see more and more people coming to the Laguna de los Tres. We continue our descent to the brewery where Manuela or Blanca will be waiting us with a tasty homemade beer! Chin chin!