8-Day Southern Ice Field Expedition Around Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy

The Patagonia Ice Field is the third biggest mass of ice in the world after Antarctica and Greenland, and the biggest if you think outside the polar surface. You will have a chance to hike this circle on a 55-mile, 8-day trek entering through the Marconi Glacier and into the amazing mass of ice, where only a few people have been. See itinerary for full details.

Day 1: El Chalten - La Playita (L) (D)
You will meet your guide at the central location in El Chalten. Here, you will recieve a talk about the details and check all the gear for the expedition. You will be transferred in a vehicle to Electrico River. Then, you will hike for 2 hours up to Piedra del Fraile. We will continue to La Playita throughout rocky terrain where we will spend the night. The duration of the hike is 6 hours and we'll reach an elevation of 700 meters (2,296 feet).

Day 2: Camp La Playita - Refugio Gorra Blanca (B) (L) (D)
This day is considered the key day of the expedition. The winds from the west can be very strong. After an hour, you will reach Marconi Glacier and start using the crampons. As you move forward, we put on harnesses and tie ourselves to ropes. Total duration is 8 to 9 hours with an elevation of 800 meters (2,624 feet) to climb. You spend the night at Refugio Gorra Blanca.

Day 3: Refugio Gorra Blanca - Cerro Gorra Blanca Attempt (B) (L) (D)
If the weather permits, your guide will offer the chance to hike up Cerro Gorra Blanca. The day's priority will be to cross the ice field, only if the weather conditions are very good, this attempt is possible. Total hike this day is 10 to 12 hours with an altitude of 1,200 meters (3,937 feet).

Day 4: Refugio Gorra Blanca - Circo de los Altares (B) (L) (D)
You leave some gear on the sledges and place the snowshoes. After about 5 hours of hiking, you arrive at Circo de los Altares. Here, you will build snow walls for protection from the wind and set up tents facing Cerro Torre. Duration is 6 to 7 hours with an elevation of 50 meters (164 feet).

Day 5: Circo de los Altares - Laguna Ferrari (B) (L) (D)
In the morning we break camp and continue south on slight decline, with our sleds and snowshoes. We will camp on Ferrrari Lake The duration is 8 hours with an elevation of 250 meters (820 feet) down and 250 meters climb.

DAY 6: Laguna Ferrari - Laguna Toro (B,L,D)
We head towards Paso del Viento. After crossing 300 meters of vertical drop, we will see a change of scenery. You will see the huge and snow-white lower and upper Glacier Tunnel, down from the slopes for the next 800 meters downstream. After a last walk on the Tunnel, you will cross a river. Depending on the guide's, you will cross it by a zip or wading. Duration is 6 to 7 hours with elevation of 300 meters (984 feet) to climb and 800 meters (2,624 feet) down.

Day 7: Laguna Toro - El Chalten (B) (L)
We wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and hike back to town on an easy trail through La Loma del Pliegue Tumbado. You will then reach the office at El Chalten. Elevation: is 450 meters (1,476 feet) climb and 700 meters (2,296 feet) down, with a 6-hour duration.

Day 8: Extra Day (In case of bad weather)
This day is to be used in case of having to wait due to bad weather conditions and should not be used necessarily within the expedition. The use of this day will be up to the guide in charge.