Cerro Madsen (Paso Inferior): 2-day Ski tour in El Chalten, Patagonia Sur

IFMGA certified guide Indio wants to lead you on a 2-day ski touring adventure on the Cerro Madsen (Paso Inferior) in El Chalten, in south Patagonia, Argentina.

Private

Andes

2 Days

Jul - Nov

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Spend 2 exciting days ski touring on the Cerro Madsen near El Chalten.
Ski on the peak's lower passage, as well as its East Face.
Spend a night in the Rio Blanco Camp.

Description

For 2 days, I would like to guide you on a ski touring adventure on the Cerro Madsen’s lower passage.

Located in Argentina’s southern Patagonia, near El Chalten, the Cerro Madsen’s lower passage is full of great snow. As a result, the ski touring available in the area is spectacular. Furthermore, the views you will get, particularly of the famed Fitz Roy peak, are spellbinding.

The day before the trip starts, we will meet and go over final details. We will also perform an equipment check as well.

On the first day of the trip, early in the morning, we will drive for approximately 30 minutes from El Chalten to the Hosteria del Pilar. After that, we will trek for approximately 2 hours to the Rio Blanco camp. Once there, you will get to spend about 8 hours skiing on the Lower Passage of the Cerro Madsen. At the end of the day, we will return to the camp, where you will spend the night in comfortable accommodations.

On the second day of the trip, we will ascend the Cerro Madsen. From the summit you will get to enjoy some marvelous views. Afterwards, you will ski down the peak’s East Face. At the end of the day, we will return to El Chalten.

Participants on this trip should be in good physical condition. They should also have prior ski touring experience.

Please keep in mind that this trip takes place in a quite exposed area, and the possibility of doing it is conditioned by the weather. In case it is not possible to do it, we can go instead for this 2-day trip on Creston and Vespignani.

Like many great skiing spots in Argentinean Patagonia, the Cerro Madsen will not only provide you with great slopes, but amazing views. To join me on this 2-day adventure, just send a request. I know you’ll have a great time.

Are you not sure where to ski around El Chalten? Then let me pick the right spot for you on this full-day trip.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip

Price details

In addition to the guiding fee, the price also includes GPS, meals and accommodation.
The price does not include skiing equipment and safety equipment, including ARVA, shovel, probe and helmet.

Itinerary

Day 0: Pre-trip meeting in Chalten

The day before the trip starts, we will meet and go over final details. We will also perform an equipment check as well.

Day 1: Paso Inferior

Early in the morning, we will drive for approximately 30 minutes from El Chalten to the Hosteria del Pilar. After that, we will trek for approximately 2 hours to the Rio Blanco camp. Once there, you will get to spend about 8 hours skiing on the Lower Passage of the Cerro Madsen. At the end of the day, we will return to the camp, where you will spend the night.

Day 2: Cerro Madsen

Details

More info

Keep in mind that the itinerary described is not a definitive itinerary. The schedule during this trip is flexible and can change based on weather and snow conditions. However, I will see to it that regardless of any potential changes, you will still have an amazing ski touring experience around El Chalten. If your itinerary allows it, we can block 4 days for this trip, in order to guarantee 2 full days of skiing in case of bad weather.

Meeting point

El Chalten

FAQs

How is winter weather in Chaltén? What happens if we have bad weather?

Although weather in south Patagonia has a very bad reputation, actually in winter the weather here is much more stable than in summer, and we usually have no wind! For this 2-day trip, we can block 4 days so we make sure we can guarantee 2 full days of skiing.

But also keep in mind that this trip takes place in a quite exposed area, and the possibility of doing it is conditioned by the weather. In case it is not possible to do it, we can go instead for this 2-day trip on Creston and Vespignani: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/cerro-creston-1-day-ski-touring-in-el-chalten-patagonia-sur/

When and where will we meet?

We will meet in El Chalten the day before we start the trip, to check equipment and finalize details for the trip.

What equipment do I need to bring?

You have to bring your skis and boots, and safety kit (ARVA, shovel, probe and helmet). You can rent equipment in El Chalten (complete ski and safety equipment) for around 60usd per day.

I'm a solo traveler, can I join a group?

We don't organize fixed group trips, but let me know when you are planning to come, and we'll see if there are other skiers with a similar ski level with whom you can join.

How many skiers can go with 1 guide?

1 guide can take up to 4 skiers. If the group is larger, another guide will join.

In what kind of terrain and snow will we ski?

The terrain will depend on the itinerary we decide for the trip and for each day, depending on your skill level and the snow and weather conditions. But you there are options to ski in glacier terrain and on slopes from 20° to 50°. We will always try to go for the best snow conditions. From the beginning to mid-winter we usually have powder, and then we have classic spring snow, although this might be affected by wind conditions.

What previous experience and skill level do I need to go on this trip?

To come on this trip your fitness level should be good, and you need to be able to ski down red pistes on resorts.

Is it possible to rent equipment in El Chalten, El Calafate or from the guide?

Yes, you can rent equipment in El Chalten (complete ski and safety equipment) for around 60usd per day.

How can I get to El Chalten?

You will need to fly to El Calafate, and there are daily buses that go from Calafate airport to El Chalten. You can also take a taxi or rent a car. This transportation is not included in the price, but we can help you organize it.

Which is the closest airport?

The closest airport is El Calafate, and it is very easy to get from the airport to Chalten. There are daily buses and private transfers as well. This transportation is not included in the price, but we can help you organize it.

About the guide

Indio

4.9

(21)

Mountain Guide

I am an IFMGA and a High Mountain AAGM certified Mountain Guide. I was born in San Juan, where I found my passion for the mountains when I was a child. Today my home is El Chalten, this magical place where I have my family and where I work and live since 2008.

I have climbed many different peaks along the Andes, as well as in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, France, Spain, Germany Italy, Austria and Switzerland. I have climbed great mountains and new routes in Patagonia, both in Cerro Torre and in the Fitz Roy mountains. I climbed Mount Fitz Roy five times and Mount Torre three times. All of them through different routes and some of them opening a new one.

One of my biggest achievements was the Standhardt - Herron - Egger traverse and the "Directa Huarpe" new route, on the west face of Cerro Torre. As well as climbing the Tehuelche route on the Fitz Roy hill in 16 hours.

I also guide in the Central Andes, in places such as Cerro Mercedario and Vallecitos in Mendoza, among other mountains. I am also a Mountaineering and Climbing instructor in different associations and member of the relief committee at the Club Andino Mercedario of the San Juan Province. I am also a member of the technical committee of the Argentine Association of Mountain Guides, in which I am part of the staff of instructors for IFMGA guides.

I guide my clients mainly in Patagonia. I spend summer in the town of El Chalten and I move to Bariloche, in northern Patagonia, in the winter, where I guide more technical excursions, like ice and/or rock climbing, as well as classic mountaineering ascents. During the year I also guide in the mountains of Peru, Bolivia and in Europe.

Even when I’m not working I enjoy climbing, bouldering, sport skiing and mountaineering. Keeping at my highest level of performance helps me ensure my clients’ safety, that is always my top priority.

Languages

English

Certificates

AAGM | IVBV | UIAGM | IFMGA

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What people are saying about Indio

Fabio

Diogo

Due to bad weather, we had to move the day of the climb, and instead of Indio, Pipa took me to the walls across the river in the Paredon de Los Condores. We had a great day of climbing; Pipa was super chilled and knowledgeable, sharing a lot of helpful tips and guiding me up the wall. We started with easy climbs and kept progressing until maxing it out. I had a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to doing other climbs with Pipa whenever I get a chance to visit Chalten again. Highly recommend.

Sunny

Had a great time!

Charles

(Not Indio) Juan was a very kind and knowledgeable guide. He knew exactly where to take us for warmups and hard climbing routes. His professionalism and attention to detail was clear on the multi pitch route we did - we felt safe and in control the entire time. Juan was also fun and we ended up with tons of local recommendations for things to do for the remainder of our trip. Thank you Patagonia Ascents. Communication was good, attention to detail was great.

Lawrence