Eduardo Brenner 88 (9301) El Chaltén – Santa Cruz – Argentina info@mount-patagonia.com www.mount-patagonia.com

TE: +54-2962-493194 Mobile: +549-2962-409207

Tour Operator of Los Glaciares National Park

Backpacking Patagonia – Mt. Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre Basecamps ATWS 2017 - PSA

From north to south, backpack to the basecamps of Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, camping at each and trekking to Paso del Viento with views to the second largest ice cap outside the polar regions! Experience classic Argentine Patagonia landscapes - steep granite spires towering over vast glaciers, cerulean lakes, rivers and forests.

Highlights:

• Towering view of the east face of Mt. Fitz Roy from Laguna de los Tres

• Backpack to Laguna Torre and Mirador Maestri to witness the mythical Cerro Torre and Glacier Grande

• Zip-line across the Fitz Roy river and hike to a pass with the finest vista to Mt Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre from the south

• Wade Tunnel River, hike up scree, and cross a section of glacier to Paso del Viento (pass of the winds) to view the Viedma glacier, part of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field

• Backpacking Patagonia – Mt. Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre Basecamps Photos

Data sheet Dates: October 9th to 15th 5 days backpacking trek, 7 days total Difficulty: [5] Challenging - Very physically fit; 5-8 hours trekking/day; able to carry a heavy backpack over

uneven terrain multiple days in a row Requires backpacking experience (carrying 40-45 lbs/18-20 kgs backpack including a portion of group gear;

sections of steep trail and scree, river crossings by zip-line and/or wading) Group size: 4 to 8 guest

Eduardo Brenner 88 (9301) El Chaltén – Santa Cruz – Argentina info@mount-patagonia.com www.mount-patagonia.com

TE: +54-2962-493194 Mobile: +549-2962-409207

Regular sale Price: U$S 1400 Discounted Price for non-hosted delegates and traveling companions: U$S 1000

o Payable by wire transfer or PayPal (credit card) Included Services 2 nights Lodging at El Chaltén (double occupancy) 4 nights Tents (double occupancy) Mountain guide Breakfast at hotel; Expedition meals Kitchen set and utensils VHF radio or sat phone First-aid kit Transfer El Chaltén- El Pilar Transportation from El Calafate to El Chaltén Transportation El Chaltén to El Calafate

NOT included Services:

• Porters (at your request for an additional fee)

• Personal equipment

• Alcoholic drinks

• Restaurant meals in town

• Gratuities

• Personal Travel & Rescue insurance (highly recommended)

• Services not specified

Getting to and from El Calafate: Important Note: Please take note of which airport in Buenos Aires you are arriving and departing when you book your airline tickets. International flights from North America and Europe land in Buenos Aires at EZE (Ministro Pistarini International Airport; Ezeiza International Airport). Your flight to El Calafate, however, will depart from AEP (Jorge Newbery Airfield), Buenos Aires. The distance between the two airports is ~44km and an hour without traffic. However, traffic can be very heavy in Buenos Aries and we recommend you allow several hours between flights to clear immigration, customs, obtain luggage, and transfer to AEP to be sure you can make your connection. You may have to overnight in Buenos Aires. Recommended Flights on Aerolineas Argentina: October 9, 2017 - Buenos Aires – El Calafate: AR 1820 | AEP 10:15 AM to FTE 13:30 October 15, 2017 El Calafate - Buenos Aires - Salta: AR 1875 | FTE 12:10PM to AEP 15:05; AR 1458 | AEP 17:20 to SLA 19:35

Eduardo Brenner 88 (9301) El Chaltén – Santa Cruz – Argentina info@mount-patagonia.com www.mount-patagonia.com

TE: +54-2962-493194 Mobile: +549-2962-409207

ITINERARY:

Oct. 9th: Arrive El Calafate (airport FTE). Bus Transportation from Calafate Airport to El Chaltén. Briefing with the guide about details of the program. Gear check. Lodging at El Chaltén. No meals included. Oct. 10th: Transportation from El Chaltén to Hostería El Pilar. We start hiking towards Fitz Roy base camp, along the Rio Blanco valley. We pass the front of Piedras Blancas Glacier and then by the Rio Blanco campsite. We hike up from here to Laguna de los Tres (1200m/a/s/l). This viewpoint has the closest and best panoramic view of Fitz Roy. From here, we descend to Poincenot campsite (750m/a/s/l), where we spend the night. This hike has an elevation gain of 700 meters and will take approx. 7-8 hours. (B, L, D) Oct. 11th: Poincenot campsite is a good spot to take pictures of Fitz Roy during sunrise. After breakfast, we leave for our hike to Laguna Torre, passing by Lagunas Madre and Hija. The hike to Laguna Torre is about 3 hours and a wonderful place for lunch. If the weather allows, we continue to Mirador Maestri, the main viewpoint of the mythical Cerro Torre and Glacier Grande. Afterwards, we’ll return to our camp at “De Agostini” to spend the night. This hike takes 5 to 6 hours and has an elevation gain of 300-400m. (B, L, D) Oct. 12th: From “De Agostini” campsite we walk about 15 minutes to the origin of Fitz Roy river. We use a zip-line and harnesses to get across the river. Then we start ascending a steep forest towards “Paso de Las Agachonas” (1400m/a/s/l), a pass at “Pliegue Tumbado” mountain. The panoramic views of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre from this site are astonishing! From there we descend to “Rio Tunel” valley and camp at “Laguna Toro” (600m/a/s/l). This hike has an elevation gain of 800m and takes approx. 6-7 hours. (B, L, D) Oct. 13th: After 30-40 minutes of walking around Laguna Toro, we cross the Tunnel river: wading through the river or using another zip-line cable, depending on the conditions of the river. The ascent to Paso del Viento (passes of the winds) through scree, moraines and a brief section of glacier trekking on the Inferior Tunnel Glacier. From the windy pass (1550m/a/s/l), we appreciate part of the Patagonian Ice Field; the origins of Viedma Glacier and the Mariano Moreno Range, among others. We return to Laguna Toro campsite. The hike has an elevation gain of 900m and takes about 7-8 hours. (B, L, D) Oct. 14th: We return to El Chaltén by a trail through an open valley and beech forests (lenga trees), traversing the lowest part of “Pliegue Tumbado”. This hike has an elevation gain of 300-400m and takes 5-6 hours. Lodging at El Chaltén. (B, L) Oct. 15th: Bus Transportation from El Chaltén to El Calafate Airport. End of our services. (B)

Eduardo Brenner 88 (9301) El Chaltén – Santa Cruz – Argentina info@mount-patagonia.com www.mount-patagonia.com

TE: +54-2962-493194 Mobile: +549-2962-409207

Packing List Weather: The weather in Patagonia is notorious for high winds and extreme variability. Days can range from sunny with temperatures in the mid-60s (15°C) in October to rain, hail, and occasionally even snow. Nighttime temperatures often drop down into the 30s and 40s (0-5°C). The wind-chill factor can sometimes make the ambient temperature feel much colder. Please come prepared for all possibilities and equipped with good quality rain and wind gear.

Luggage:

Medium to large duffle or rolling soft-sided luggage

60-65 L backpack o Waterproof pack cover or garbage bag to

line pack

o Dry sacs or plastic bags

Clothing:

Casual clothing/shoes for travel and city wear (lightweight, easily washable)

Waterproof jacket, lightweight

Waterproof pants, lightweight

Fleece/softshell jacket (windproof preferred)

Down (or synthetic) jacket

T-shirts, synthetic or wool

Long sleeve shirt, synthetic or wool

Hiking pants (no jeans for trekking)

Synthetic or merino base layers

Underwear/sports bra (quick drying) Footwear:

Waterproof trekking boots with rugged sole

Hiking socks, synthetic or wool

Light shoes (sneakers or water sandals) o Water crossing/camp shoes

Assorted Personal Items:

Trekking poles (collapsible)

Sleeping Bag (15-20°F/-5-10°C) with compression stuff sack

Insulating mattress (compact, lightweight; Therm-a-Rest ideal)

Water bottles (2 1-Liter or 2L hydration bladder)

Headlamp with batteries (& extra batteries)

Sunscreen and Lip balm with SPF

Sun hat

Wool or fleece hat

Neck warmer or buff

Gloves/mittens

Sunglasses with UV filter

Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrush, quick drying travel towel,etc)

Toilet Kit: Toilet paper, Ziplock bags (at least one for clean TP, one for dirty TP), wet wipes, hand sanitizer (You must pack out all toilet paper.)

Personal first aid kit, medications, blister kit

Bandana

Pocket knife

Camera/memory cards/battery

Packing cubes/stuff sacks

Gaiters

Optional: o Earplugs and eye shade o Binoculars o Water purification (filter or tablets)

Note: Water is potable without filtration/purification in Southern Patagonia. Please bring your own water filter/Steripen or purification tablets if you don’t want to drink the water untreated. Sleeping bags/pads are available for rent in El Chaltén. Book early for best availability.