Mount San Valentin (4058m) is the highest peak of Patagonia. Its location in the middle of the Northern Patagonian Ice field makes it the most attractive climb and a unique experience. This expedition is the maximum challenge of our actual catalog and is only available for experienced mountaineers. Mental discipline is one of the most important skills in this kind of expeditions as weather conditions often oblige the party to spend several days stuck in a tent.
We offer this climb with the support of snowshoes and sleds. During the 1999-2000 season, our team opened a new and very interesting itinerary for the climb of this mountain, starting from Lago Leones instead of Laguna San Rafael (historical route). Since then, our team has been the only Chilean company to offer and success a commercial expedition on that climb. Our own mountaineering and trekking lodge and its staff in Puerto Guadal stay in permanent VHF radio contact with the expedition, representing a huge logistical and security support to any expedition. This route is entirely recorded in our GPS. Our campsites benefit from extraordinary views and are restocked as often as possible by expedition and/or plane deposits.
This and many more details make our Team the only company to offer a complete logistic support which will guarantee that your expeditions has the highest chances of success. You and the weather will do the rest...Good luck!!
DAY 1: BALMACEDA (IN) – ECO LODGE
Reception at Balmaceda airport. We start the trip to Lake General Carrera. Short visit of Cerro Castillo, Puerto Murta and Puerto Tranquilo before reaching Puerto Guadal. Overnight in a lodge. (L,D)
DAY 2: ECO LODGE
Full day of preparation of the expedition in Eco Lodge (Puerto Guadal). Briefing. Lodge. (B,L,D)
DAY 3: ECO LODGE -PUERTO LEON
Transfer to Leones valley. Trekking to the lake. Cross of the lake with a zodiac to Preach Puerto leon. Charge transportation and back to Puerto leon wher we camp. (B,L,D)
DAY 4: PUERTO LEON-PUNTA CAMELLO
Climb to Punta Camello base camp. Porters will help us carry up part of the equipment. We camp in Punta Camello. Fantastic panorama on the East side of the mountain range. First view of our objective. (B,L,D)
DAY 5: PUNTA CAMELLO-DEPOSIT-PUNTA CAMELLO
Charge transportation to “Deposit”. Back to Punta Camello. (B,L,D)
DAY 6: PUNTA CAMELLO-DEPOSIT-PASO CAMP
Climb to deposit and then to Camp 1 (Paso camp), on the East edge of the Icecap. (B,L,D)
DAY 7: PASO CAMP-RATON CAMP
Approach cross (with skies and sleds) on the icecap to reach Raton camp. (B,L,D)
DAY 8: RATON CAMP-TERRACE CAMP
Climb to Terrace camp. Extraordinary scenery of ice & snow with Mt San Valentin in the background. (B,L,D)
DAY 9: TERRACE CAMP-FINAL CAMP
Long cross to set our camp at the very foot of San Valentin. Camp. (B,L,D)
DAY 10: FINAL CAMP-SAN VALENTIN-FINAL CAMP
Ascent of San Valentin (4058m)summit. Back to final camp. (B,L,D)
DAYS 11-12-13: LOGISTIC and SECURITY DAYS
DAY 14: FINAL CAMP-RATON CAMP
Return to Raton camp. (B,L,D)
DAY 15: RATON CAMP-PASO CAMP
Return to Paso camp. (B,L,D)
DAY 16: PASO CAMP-PUNTA CAMELLO
Return to Punta Camello base camp. (B,L,D)
DAY 17: PUNTA CAMELLO-PUERTO LEON
Trek down to Puerto Leon. Porters will help carry things back down. Camp. (B,L,D)
DAY 18: PUERTO LEON- ECO LODGE
Zodiac cross, trekking and transfer back to Puerto Guadal. Overnight in lodge. (B,L,D)
DAY 19: ECO LODGE
Rest and reorganisation day. Unpacking, drying, etc... Lodge. (B,L,D)
DAY 20: ECO LODGE -BALMACEDA (OUT)
Transfer to Balmaceda, END OF SERVICES. (B,L)
IMPORTANT:
-This program is indicative and can be modified at any moment during the expedition.
-In case of an early return to Puerto Guadal, additional nights in the lodge or services must be paid directly by passengers. Nevertheless, expedition food, camping equipment and guides are still at passengers disposition (free).
-Operation period is December / January / February / March
III/ LOGISTICAL ASPECTS:
-Porters are considered on days 3,4, 16, 17,8. These porters will only help divide the charge and do not
liberate passengers from their own portage. Passengers MUST and WILL carry heavy backpacks anyway.
The purpose of these porters is to avoid several trips for that section. It is also likely that porters do
portages of common equipment and food before the group arrives in the area.
-The expedition considers 1 mountain guide for every 3 PAX (calculation considers our Team and
eventual external guides).
-The expedition considers the setting and use of fixed ropes for the final ascent.
-Passengers must be in a very good physical condition as well as a good training with HEAVY backpacks.
Not all passengers will have sleds to pull, as we consider 1 sled/ 3 PAX.
-Passengers MUST RESPECT the equipment list we request.
PASSENGER EQUIPMENT LIST:
General and camping gear:
-Sleeping bag (Hyolophil recommended) + bivouac bag recommended -Very good glacier glasses
-1 big backpack (90l-120l) - Clothes for wet weather more than for cold weather -Trekking shoes
-Polarfleece + goretex trousers and jacket -ski goggles -polarfleece monk’s cloak -Therm-a-rest + survival blanket
-polyamid wind stopper gloves + goretex covergloves -cantine and/or thermos.
Mountaineer gear:
- Telescopic ski poles with sharp extremity -Mountaineering harness (with regulation)
- 5m of mountain rope (5mm) -1 “tibloc” or “ropeman” + 1 “8” descender + 5 carabiners with lock
- Snow Overboots (gaiters)
-Comfortable and good mountaineering plastic boots. (KOFLACH Arctis Expeditions or similar)
-1 technical ice axes: with hammer or normal -1 ice screw
Our company will provide tents, ropes, radios, GPS, sleds, additional mountain gear, snowshoes, showels, etc...
Program Includes
- Transfers from and to Balmaceda or Coyhaique (Note: transfer In & Ouy can be shared.)
- 04 nights in our Lodge + 15 camp nights with full board included (B:breakfast, L:lunch, D:dinner).
- Daily excursions detailed in the program
- Specialized bilingual guide English/Spanish (Other languages according to availability)
- Free use: HOT TUB, Sauna, Mountainbikes, and pedal boat.
Program does not Include:
- CHARTER Flights,
- Drinks during restaurante meals
- Tips.
- Services not detailed in the program
- single Supplement
- Sleeping bags, Mountaineering equipment (Ask us),
- Mountaineering technical equipment
NOTE: Entrance & departure transfers for private programs, to and/or from Lodge could eventually be share as in a regular service, due to logistic reasons.
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