Ascent to Gorra Blanca, El Chalten

Join an IFMGA mountain guide into this 5-day trip to Gorra Blanca, a beautiful mountain of El Chalten, in the border between Argentina and Chile.

Andes

4 Days

Jan - Mar, Jul - Dec

High

Intermediate

Description

On this 4-day program, I invite you to climb to Mount Gorra Blanca, a beautiful mountain in the region of El Chalten.

At 2,920 meters above sea level, Gorra Blanca lies near Paso Marconi, on the edge of the Southern Ice Field. This is, indeed, the third biggest ice field in the world.

This impressive mountain is normally full of ice and snow, which makes it a fantastic expedition for climbers. Also, it shows breathtaking views of the Ice Cap and its surroundings.

Does this ascent sound attractive? Please contact me for this trip in a remote area of El Chalten, in Patagonia. Besides, we can combine Gorra Blanca with an expedition to the Southern Ice Field.

Located in the same area, I can also lead you to the top of Cerro Solo. Check this program out!

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Personal insurance

Itinerary

Day 1: 'La playita'

A transfer takes us to Río Eléctrico and we start the trekking.

It takes 2 hours to get to ‘Piedra del Fraile’ Campsite or 5 hours to ‘La Playita’ Camp (600 m), at the foot of the Marconi Glacier.

‘Piedra del Fraile’ is a private campsite with services, at the edge of the forest.

After getting there, the terrain is open and rockery until the next campsite (La Playita).

Day 2: 'Paso Marconi' / Gorra Blanca hut

Ascent to ‘Paso Marconi’ (1550 m); a walk of about 8 to 10 hours with an elevation gain of about 1000 m.

This is the crux of the trip; we will need a reasonable good day to reach the pass.

If the weather is good, there are excellent views of Fitz Roy, Piergiorgio and Gorra Blanca, among others.

We will set our base at Gorra Blanca hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3: Summit attempt

Gorra Blanca summit attempt (2900 m) by the normal route (NW ridge), with average ice slopes from 30° to 40°.

There may be a short steeper section to climb the final mushroom at the summit.

If the weather is good, we will be able to contemplate part of the Ice Field, the Cordon Gaea, Volcano Lautaro, Mounts Fitz Roy and Torre, among others.

We´ll return by the same way back to the refuge.

This is about a 10 hour day with a gain of 1300 meters.

We estimate an extra spare day in case of bad weather.

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4: Piedra del Fraile / El Chalten

Return to Rio Eléctrico bridge and transportation back to El Chaltén.

Meals: Breakfast and Box Lunch.

Details

More info

Level: the trip requires previous glacier experience.

The price includes technical and security equipment (crampons, harness, rope, helmet, Etc.), a VHF radio and a first-aid kit.

Meeting point

El Chalten, Argentina.

About the guide

Merlín

5.0

(89)

Mountain Guide

Certified UIAGM-IFMGA Mountain Guide from Argentina.

I live in El Chaltén since 1998. I'm originally from Bariloche and I started with mountain activities when I was 15 years old. I've done climbing and ascents in many mountains of Patagonia, Perú, Bolivia, United States and Europe; such as Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Alpamayo, El Capitán, Mont Blanc and Aconcagua among others. I'm also a Ski Instructor and I am passionate for backcountry ski.

I speak fluent English, Italian and French and have been leading trips and expeditions for more than 20 years. I work together with a group of guides, so if I'm not available for the trip you request, one of my colleagues will guide you!

Certificates

AAGM | UIAGM

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What people are saying about Merlín

Nicole

Merlin is the best guide out there. I highly recommend anyone to book with him. Super helpful and fun. We enjoyed our 2 day rock climbing adventure with him.

After a few headaches in the beginning (the national park had been closed, but has recently been opened again), we had a great experience and a wonderful tour with Merlin and Mountaineering Patagonia! Merlin offered us great flexibility and patience and a week later the perfect weather arrived for our mountain adventure.

We had an amazing ski trip in Patagonia! Merlin and Martin are exceptional ski guides and we got to ski a lot more terrain than if we had gone on our own. They did a great job adapting our trip plan to the ever changing Patagonia weather. Would highly recommend to anyone considering an adventurous ski trip in Patagonia

Looking for a new backcountry ski adventure to a wild and remote place? Want the comfort of a sailboat to return to every day? Ski first descents? Experience the beauty of massive glaciers, fjords and mountains as far as the eye can see? Check, check, check and check. This was my second trip with Merlin and Patagonia Mountaineering and won't be my last. This trip delivered everything that an expedition can deliver while all the time under the careful guidance of Merlin and Sebastian.

Great experience with Mountaineering Patagonia for a ski touring hut trip of Frey and Jakob huts out of Bariloche, Argentina. I booked with guide and operator Merlin and went on the tour with guide Lucas and we joined forces with another small guided group. I would hope to ski out of Chalten and would definitely use Mountaineering Patagonia again.