Frey Valley guided rock climbing adventure

The Frey Valley is a great rock climbing spot where to learn and improve all your climbing skills. Join the local IFMGA mountain guide Craig in this 4-day trip.

Andes

+1 Days

Jan - Apr, Nov, Dec

Low

Intermediate

Description

The Frey Valley is surely one of the best areas to climb in Patagonia, with the most perfect orange granite spires!

Its my pleasure to help you learn the secrets of rock climbing in this 4-day trip. The best and most varied climbing itineraries are only a 3-hour walk up from the cozy Frey Hut, at 1700 meters of altitude. Here, we will find an option for each level of experience.

Moreover, I learned most of my climbing skills and fell in love with Patagonia right in the Frey Valley. That is why I decided to make Bariloche my new home and invite people there!

The rock walls in the Frey Valley offer great spires with amazing cracks to start gaining confidence with the rock and the basic skills. I always recommend to spend at least 3 or 4 days in the place.

Of course our biggest goal will be “the Principal”. Its the highest spire in the area with 2405 meters. Its normal route is quite accessible. We will start with a 5th-class climb (intermediate) and after few moves we’ll be at the top enjoying an outstanding view.

There are many other spires nearby, such as the “Abuelo” or “La vieja”. All of them provide great routes of different difficulties.

So, if you want to do some climbing in the area this is the right place. Fill out the form and contact me. I am looking forward to sharing some rock climbing time with you!

Price includes

Guiding fee

Itinerary

Day 1: Cathedral Ski Resort - Frey Hut

Meeting in Bariloche where we will check the gear and head to the Catedral ski resort. From here a gentle 3-hour climb up to the hut. We will enjoy the place and get ready for an afternoon of rock climbing.

Day 2: El Abuelo or La Vieja climbs

A short hike to the base of a different Spire, which could be the “Abuelo”, M2 or “ La vieja”. The routes are around 100-to-150-meter long. Their difficulty levels vary from 5th grades to harder ones for those more experienced.

Day 3: La Principal, the main tower

Today we can tackle the main tower called the “Principal”. A little longer approach to the base. From here it starts a really easy section to the first pitch. Then, a little steeper one with some cracks. The views get better and better. Soon, we will be at the last pitch relying on the excellent adherence that granite has!!

Day 4: More climbs and back town

Today there will be still plenty of more climbing options. I would recommend the classic, Sifuentes Weber on the Frey spire, before heading down in the afternoon.

Details

More info

I provide gear equipment

Meeting point

Bariloche

About the guide

Craig

5.0

(20)

Mountain Guide

UIAGM-IFMGA guide in Argentina

I grew up in Buenos Aires to Scottish parents. I was lucky to travel and camp all around this beautiful country hence developing a great passion for the outdoors.

So once I finished my degree in Physical Educacion and also had a Trekking Guide certification (1997), and after spending my summers as a climbing bum up at Frey, I decided Bariloche was the place I wanted to live in.

My passion has allowed me to pursue my dreams of climbing some big walls in Yosemite, the Bugaboos, some faces in the Alps and Dolomites and other closer to here in Brasil, Peru and Bolivia.

I spent a few season working down in Southern Patagonia, El Chalten at the Base of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Here I learned my skills in dealing with all the minor details of managing groups.

Later when Argentina proudly became part of the IFMGA/UAIGM, I took part in the first course/promotion and got certified as a Technical guide (2005).

I’ve been leading trips with NOLS and Outward Bound for the last decade almost and got to learn the soft skills for personal development which has made my expertise as a Guide a lot richer.

Now settled for sometime in Bariloche with a family (two beautiful daughters Sarah and Camila), I’ve decided to work more and more for myself and directly with potential clients and future friends.

Focusing mainly in tailor made programs specially developed for each individual interest. Backcountry skiing, Mountaineering, Rock cimbing, etc!!!

Looking forward to sharing some great times together!!!

Languages

English | Spanish | French

Certificates

AAGM | UIAGM | IFMGA

Request more information

What people are saying about this trip

Paul

I didnt choose the optimal time for my trip. Knowing that, I was kinda anxious about how it would turn out, especially when there was really bad weather and snowfall when I arrived in Bariloche. That said, Craig did its best to still make the best out of the situation. We shuffled the dates around and split the 4 days into 2&2. I just came back from the first 2 days and have two more to go, for which I'm very excited. I'm well aware that this kind of shuffling is only possible because it isnt high season yet and am very thankful for that. In terms of the climbing: I communicated my skill level to Craig and my ambition to learn the basics of trad climbing. I think his judgement in planning the itinirary was very sensible. Craig managed to push me way out of my comfort zone without completely overwhelming me. This allowed me to learn a ton in just two days and leave me hungry for more. If you wan't to "learn the ropes" of trad climbing, stick your hands into granite cracks, send the peaks of frey and have a fantastic time doing it, Craig is the guy to book your trip with

Frank

Al Borde de la Concordia on Cerro Lopez was a very cool experience for parachuting into a new area far from home. Craig made it seamless, and we had a really good day on some fine rock in a spectacular setting.

Daniel

We had a great day climbing in the Frey, Bariloche and was probably one of my favourite climbs of all time, only wish I had more time. Craig was an amazing guide, full of knowledge, experience and when I'm back I'll be going climbing with him again. Can't believe he is turning 60! He only looks 35 must be all that mountain air!!

Robert

We had an amazing trip with Craig. He was incredibly professional and knowledgeable and we always felt in safe hands. The climbing was epic and the route selection was perfect, I definitely felt like I was able to try stuff which I wouldn't have the confidence to do on my own. An amazing experience which we wont forget! Thank you so much