EL CHALTEN

CERRO FITZ ROY
In the El Chaltén area one finds mounts Fitz Roy and Torre, two of the world's most demanding mountains to climb. The two of them stand on the frontier line with Chile.

The Fitz Roy is the main mountain of a chain in the shape of a croissant open on the east side and with a north-south orientation. The massif is surrounded on the south by the Fitz Roy River valley and on the north by the "Electric" River that owes its name to strong local winds.

Towards the southwest extends the Torre Glacier that, immediate to the whole massif on its southern side, empties into Lake Torre. On the east, two glaciers case the mountain: the Piedras Blancas Glacier (White Rocks Glacier) on the northeast and De Los Tres Glacier on the southeast.

In the environs of these glaciers, the traveler can entertain his sight with the peaks of Torre Egger, Cerro Solo, Poincenot, Guillaumet, La Innominada, and others.

Mount Fitz Roy was first subjugated on February 2, 1952 by the French team of Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone, while Mt Torre was first conquered in 1959 by Cesare Maestri and Tony Egger.

The ideal time to make a climbing endeavour is from mid-February to end March. Consequently, if the tourist's main interest is mountain climbing, he can easily find descriptions of the different routes followed by the expeditions that conquered these mountain peaks. For example, the French expedition had very special features, as it was not organized by ice-wall seasoned climbers, rather the ordinary bleausards that train on some low rock cliffs to be found near Paris.

On these mountains and in these woods can be found some native local wildlife, such as the elusive pudú, the smallest deer in the world, which inhabits dense cane fields, or the huemul, that wanders among the trees in the forest.

Both ordinary and unusual birds can be seen, from the magnificent condor, the largest bird, to the southernmost parakeets and hummingbirds in the world.

LAKE DEL DESIERTO
Lake Del Desierto is a paradise of century-old woods, glaciers and cascades that belie its name. Here one may practice sport-fishing, camping or trekking, among other entertainments. Behind the colossal granite walls lies the famous Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the second most significant mass of continental ice on our planet after that of Antarctica. From this eternal ice cover descends the glaciers (one of them the Perito Moreno) that feed the great lakes of the area.

WHAT CAN ONE VISIT IN EL CHALTEN?
From El Chaltén one can embark on numerous routes, all along well sign-posted pathways. Generally speaking, the treks are not difficult at all for those who have experience walking in the mountains but, if you want to feel quite safe and get to know the secrets of each place, the best option is to be in the company of a mountain guide.

In line with your prospects, free time and the vagaries of the Patagonian climate, several different combinations can be worked out with the help of a map.

Difficulty levels and duration of each tour have been calculated for people in normal physical condition of fitness. With adequate training times can be condensed by 20% or more.

Starting points in the area are:
Salto del Chorrillo
Difficulty level: Easy.
Duration: 1 hour.

Andreas Madsen's Old Ranch
Difficulty level: Easy.
Duration: 1 hour.

Lake Capri
Difficulty level: Easy.
Duration: 2 hours.

Lake Torre
Difficulty level: Easy.
Duration: 4 hours.

Poincenot Camp
Difficulty level: Easy.
Duration: 4 hours.

Lake De los Tres
Difficulty level: Medium.
Duration: 6 hours.

Piedras Blancas Glacier
Difficulty level: Easy.
Duration: 6 hours.

Piedra del Fraile
Difficulty level: Easy.
Duration: 3 or 7 hours (according to the road taken).

Lake Del Desierto
Free itinerary outing in car or bus to the south shore.
Distance: 37 km from El Chaltén.

Lake Viedma
Organized 6-hour lake excursion.
Distance: 17 km from El Chaltén.

Huemul Glacier
Difficulty level: Easy to Medium.
Duration: 1 hour.

North Shore of Lake Del Desierto
Difficulty level: Medium.
Duration: 5 hours.