Continental Ice Field Expedition

An extremely intense and unforgettable expedition to the Southern Patagonian Continental Ice Field, through Marconi and Paso Del Viento Pass; passing through the Western face of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, and the Moreno Chain to the East, to enjoy the majestic Circo de losAltares.
This excursion includes 4 nights camping on the glacier; no prior technical experience required but crampons or snowshoes are necessary. Previous experience on trekking and camp activities is required.
Nevertheless, good predisposition to physical effort is needed in order to fully enjoy this unforgettable adventure.

Arrival and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to El Calafate.
Reception at El Calafate airport and bus transfer to El Chalten. The guides will make a presentation and an informative briefing to introduce the passengers to the Continental Ice Field characteristics and the program’s details. They will provide information on the equipment and some details about how to use it. Lodgingat Hostel

Calafate

Buenos Aires

Trekking to the Marconi Glacier base, approximately a three hourtrek. Altitudedifference: 300mts. Lodging in campsite

Trekking through the Marconi Glacier (1500mts) up to Paso Marconi. This is a full glacier trekking day. We will use crampons and ropes if the weather requires it. Fabulous panoramic view of the interior of the glacier and the mountains of this area. 6-7 hours trekking. Lodging at campsite over the Continental Ice.

Trekking on the Continental Ice to the "Circo de losAltares", at the base of the legendary west face of the Torre Hill. Snowshoes will be used. 6 hours trekking. Lodging at campsite over the Continental Ice.
 
Enjoy the "Circo de losAltares", view of the west faces of the Fitz Roy and Torre Hills. Lodgingat the campsiteover the Continental Ice.

Circo de los Altares

El Chaten

Trekking to the Esquies lagoon, and exit of the Continental Ice lateral border of the Viedma Glacier. If weather conditions are very hard, we will have to continue for two hours more to the "Paso Del Viento" refuge. 7 hours trekking (to the Esquies lagoon) Lodging at campsite.

Trekking going over the "Paso del Viento"(1550mts) with the fabulous view to the Toro Lagoon, crossing the terminal tongue of the Tunnel Glacier and the river with the same name. 6-7 hours trekking to arrive to the forest where we will camp. Lodgingatthe campsite.

Trekking to El Chalten and crossing of the "Loma del PliegueTumbado". Lodging at the hostel.
Days in reserve.

Breakfast and transfer to El Calafate.

End of services

Price per person: US$ Upon request ,
minimum 3pax

2005 Fixed Departures
November 12, 26
December 10, 24

2006 Fixed Departures
January 07, 21
February 04 / 18

• Included Services: Certified Mountain Guide from AAGMMountain Guide Argentina Association.
• Tents and Camping equipment.
• Provision of snowshoes, crampons, harness, ropes all other necessary security devices.
• All the meals and lodgesdetailed in the program.
• Flight tickets: Buenos Aires – El Calafate –Buenos Aires
• Security: The trip doesn't include medical assistance. The guides will carry a basic first-aid kit along the walks and VHF communication equipment for any emergency that may take place.
• Transports: Transports will be done combining private and regular services
• All the equipment will be transported and the passengers are expected to carry their own luggage, including their sleeping bags and insulating mattresses.
  When a private group, we are able to provide porterage services and carry passenger’s personal belongings up to 8 kilograms each.
• More Explanations
  The Operator retains the right to change the itinerary or to suspend some of the activities when some climatic cause or other cause of justifies it in favor of the security of each member of the group.
  The reserve days will be used in bad climatic conditions inside the ice camp. If the climate conditions are really good, the reserves days will be use to enjoy each part of the crossing.
• No previous technical experience with crampons or snowshoes is necessary.
  Butit’s necessarypreviousexperience in trekking and campsite
  

List of Equipment and clothing you should bring

• Backpack 70/85 litres capacity,
• Sleeping bag, duvet, for -20ºC,
• Sleeping pad (therm-a-rest type recommended),
• Interior synthetic clothes (polypropylene, lifa or capilene): 1 long-sleeved shirt, 1 long pants,
• 1 cotton t-shirt,
• 1 pants of polar fibre,
• 1 polar fibre jacket or coat,
• Goretex jacket with hood or similar,
• Goretex shell pants with full-length sided zippers,
• 1 pair of gaiters,
• 2 pairs of wool or synthetic mittens,
• Waterproof mitten shells (goretex or similar),
• 1 pair of thin synthetic gloves,
• 2 pairs of thick synthetic socks, polar fiber or wool,
• 2 pairs of synthetic liner thin socks,
• Ski sticks, telescopictype,
• Thin scarf or handkerchief for your neck,
• Balaclava of wool or polar fibre,
• Cap of wool or polar fibre,
• Sunglasses with UV filter for high solar radiation,
• Snowgoggles,
• Sun protector cream for skin (factor 30) and for lips (balm),
• Thermoorplasticbottle,
• Wide adhesive tape (cloth athletic),
• Personal hygiene kit,
• Swiss Army knife, Victorinox or similar,

Headlamp (miners type, like Petzl) with batteries.

• Medical and Life Insurance.
• Tips.
• Services not detailed in the program.