4-day Gorra Blanca ascent in El Chaltén, Argentina

Join Diego, an AAGM-certified guide, for this 4 day ascent through classic Patagonian landscapes to the summit of Gorra Blanca!

Group

Andes

4 Days

Jan - Apr, Oct - Dec

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Explore classic Patagonian landscapes
Ascend Marconi Pass, the entrance to the famous Southern Patagonian Ice Field
Technically intermediate ascent over icy and snowy terrain

Description

Visit the gateway to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field during this 4-day adventure over icy and snowy terrain to the summit of Gorra Blanca!

This trip is a great option for those interested in a technical ascent up an interesting route with great views and classic Patagonian landscapes. We begin the journey at the Electrico River Bridge, located 20km outside of El Chalten. We ascend through forest and sparse glacier landscapes to the Marconi Pass, the entrance to the Southern Patagonia Ice Field. From there, given favorable weather conditions, we tackle the summit of Gorra Blanca, a peak of 2,907m. Although there is one section of rock scramble, we can expect snowy and icy terrain as we traverse the glacier, and use of technical equipment such as ropes, crampons, and snowshoes will be necessary.

Please note that the afternoon before our morning departure to the trailhead, we will conduct a mandatory gear check in El Chalten. We can also review the itinerary and answer any remaining questions you may have at that time.

This is considered a technically intermediate climb, so participants should have some previous mountaineering experience. Due to the tough nature of the ascent, especially as weather conditions can be windy, a high level of physical fitness is necessary. While we provide equipment such as crampons, ice axes, harnesses, and ropes, you will be expected to carry food and a portion of the tent in your pack (totaling about 5-7 kg).

Book now to explore Patagonia during this exciting 4-day adventure through classic landscapes, including Marconi Pass and the summit of Gorra Blanca!

Check out my other exciting adventure: Huemul Massif, Argentina, 4 Day Guided Hike, and Patagonia Ice Field, 9 Day Guided Trekking Tour!

Price includes

Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip

Price details

Price includes: professional certified guides, 23 person capacity tents, safety equipment (ice screws, ropes, ice axe, etc), technical equipment (crampons, harnesses, snowshoes), all meals, cooking equipment (stoves, etc), first aid kit, navigation equipment, transportation to/from trailhead.

Itinerary

Day 1: Begin ascent - Electrico River

We depart El Chalten in the morning, taking a vehicle transfer to Electrico River, located about 20km northwest of town.

We hike for two hours through a forest landscape. Once we arrive at Pieda de Fraile campsite, we follow the Electrico River through a glacial valley. While the vegetation is sparse in this area, the views are incredible. We continue hiking, fording the Pollone River, in the direction of Marconi Pass before stopping for the night.

Distance: 19km

Elevation Gain: +550m

Time: 8-9 hours

Note: The day prior to departing, we will conduct a mandatory gear check in El Chalten, where we will also discuss the route and answer questions.

Day 2: Marconi Pass & Southern Patagonian Ice Field

Following breakfast, we continue heading toward the Marconi Glacier. Once we reach the first toe of the Glacier, we can begin our ascent to Marconi Pass. Marconi Pass marks the entryway to the famous Southern Patagonian Ice Field. We will be advancing over glacial and moraine terrain. At times, the winds we experience during this part of the climb are heavy, increasing the difficulty of the ascent.

Distance: 9,5km

Elevation gain: 500m

Time: 6 hours

Day 3: Summit Push - Gorra Blanca

We wake up early to push for the summit of Gorra Blanca (weather dependent). Before sunrise, we leave our camp, climbing on snowy and icy terrain toward the summit, possibly using snow shoes or crampons. Once we arrive at the summit (2,907m), we take a few moments to celebrate before returning to our mountain hut/campsite.

Distance: 22km

Elevation gain/loss: +/- 1,300m

Time: 9 hours

Day 4: Return to El Chalten

We wake up and begin our descent back down to the trailhead at Electrico River Bridge, where a vehicle transfer will take us back to El Chalten.

Distance: 23km

Elevation loss: -1,300m

Time: 9 hours

About the guide

Diego

4.9

(10)

Mountain Guide

I graduated in Buenos Aires as Universitary proffesional in tourism and as a Mountain Guide in Mendoza province. I started working in adventure activities, horseback riding and mountain ascents. Then i moved to Patagonia that was my dream place for living and thanks to this profession it became in my place for working and personal development.

After several years of experience working in these mountains and numerous trips around the world looking for adventures and experience, I managed to unite both professions in an objective, so Serac Expeditions arose. In the last 15 years working with Serac, I have organized trips for thousands of people and personally guided hundreds of them in diverse and remote places in Patagonia, Chile, Peru and Bolivia.

Today my passion is not only guiding but also organizing special and personalized trips for people who enjoy exploring in nature and at the same time push their limits. My ideal is to provide a safe trip, spend a good time togheter with my clients and be flexible to provide a great experience and memories. To do this I work with a group of guides that share my ideals and way of working.

Languages

English

Certificates

AAGM

Request more information

What people are saying about Diego

Harley

Explore Share - Set me up with Serac Operations - so an excellent 5day traverse - challenging at times (with a fairly full pack)! Perfect Autumnm weather. Serac provided an excellent very experienced guide - Matias Passerano - and he did a great job.

Diana

Our trip to Patagonia was a once in a lifetime opportunity that checked off all the boxes! We had excellent guides, the accommodation was perfect and each day was more beautiful than the last. Explore-Share ensured we connected with the appropriate people whenever we had questions and the customer service was 5 star!

This was a great trek. The organization by and support from the Serac team was top notch. I reserved well in advance and the communications I received before my trip were always clear and timely. Once I arrived in EL Chalten, everything was smooth. Hostels were arranged and the team arrived to walk us through the trek. The guides were knowledgeable and helpful, the trek was challenging but the views were rewarding. Highlights were camping in "iceberg bay" and the hike up to Paso del Viento. The shuttle back to El Chalten was timely and even came with a complimentary beer! The trek is tough so not for the mentally unprepared.

My husband and I had a great experience with Serac - we did the El Chalten Mountain Escape trek and it was fantastic. Our guide (Christian) was very knowledgeable and kind; food was excellent and they even had wine portered to our campsites each night. All in all, highly recommended!

I first saw the opportunity to trek the South Patagonia Icefield when I was in El Chalten 3 years ago. I finally took the plunge this year and signed up with Serac Expeditions for their late-February departure - best decision ever! The Expedition itself is incredible! Only about 100 people/year undertake it so you get to see a part of Patagonia that few others have experienced. And of course the scenery is amazing. I won't lie - the expedition is challenging (especially for a relatively small female), but if you go in with reasonable fitness and the right mental attitude, it is totally doable and absolutely worth it. It also helps when you have decent weather :) Serac Expeditions are wonderful! They are very responsive and helpful throughout the whole process of arranging the trek, provide excellent equipment, and work with incredible guides (million thanks Juan and Rafa - you guys are awesome!). They also include some special surprises along the way, but you'll have to sign up yourself or read my blog posts to find out what ;) 100% recommend Serac Expeditions and this trek. I am now wanting to return to do the Marconi - Estancia Cristina expedition with them, but this time at the start of the season (November) to experience the Icefield with snowshoes rather than crampons.