Mount Tronador is a must if you come to Bariloche and Nahuel Huapi National Park. Local IFMGA-certified guide Craig proposes to climb it in 3 amazing days.
Andes
3 Days
Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
High
Intermediate
Dare to climb the Mount Tronador, the highest peak in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. It will be a unique 3-day tour with breathtaking scenery all around us!
Mount Tronador is a volcano in the southern Andes, on the border between Argentina and Chile. It is 3554-meters high and has huge hanging glaciers on its sides. Mount Tronador really stands out among the other peaks in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Not only because of its altitude but also due to its beauty.
I think that getting up to the summit of Mount Tronador is a must if you are coming to this region. In addition, it is my favorite climbing program to guide and share in Patagonia. Come climb with me this amazing peak and enjoy 3 particularly unforgettable days in the Andes.
The best months to come are from November to February. And if you would like to ascend it with skis, you should visit Patagonia during the springtime (September, October and November). It's the perfect backcountry skiing season!
At the bottom of this page you'll find more details of the day by day itinerary. And if you enjoy summer outdoor activities I am also leading a 4-day rock climbing trip in the Frey Valley, very close to the city of Bariloche.
Did you find this ascent interesting? So please fill out the form and contact me now. I'll be happy to be your guide on this Mount Tronador adventure!
We’ll leave Bariloche and drive through a scenic road to Pampa Linda, a beautiful valley at the base of the Tronador Massif. From here we will start hiking up to the Otto Meiling hut (5-hour hike with 3000 ft/ 914 m of elevation gain). To me it’s one of the most beautiful hikes in the area, with enormous Coihues or Evergreen Beach forest at the start and then fantastic views of the hanging Castaño Overa glacier, listening to the thundering sounds of the huge chunks falling off.
Once at the hut, we’ll enjoy a nice rest and then we’ll get ready for the following day. Some delicious meals also await there!
We’ll have a super early start, around 3 or 4 am. After having a light breakfast we’ll start hiking with headlamps. Once on the glacier we will rope up and soon enjoy an incredible sunrise with the alpenglow on the peaks! We will gently ascend along the glacier facing different crevasses and ridges. After 4 walking hours we will reach the “depression”, which is a bowl between the International and the Argentine peaks.
From here a short steeper climb up to the “Windy Pass” and then to the Argentine peak. The last section is the most technical, a little steeper and sometimes hard with a small rock band to reach the summit! Now it’s time to relax, enjoy and appreciate such a landscape. After that we will head back by the same way. The round trip will take 12 intense hours.
Finally back at the hut to enjoy some good “mates” or a cold beer! Later, another delicious dinner.
Today we will have a leisurely morning enjoying the stunning views and the Condors soaring above the ridges. By midday we will head back down to Pampa Linda and then to Bariloche.
This road has a one way timetable so we can only start driving back after 4 PM.
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
Mat
Craig is a great guide and even better person. I would recommend him 100 times over for any backcountry adventure in Patagonia.
Brandon
Our group had the pleasure of trekking with Craig over a 4 day hike to Mt. Tronador. First of all, Craig is an absolute professional whose focus is on safety first and then on adventure. His Scottish accent and quick wit were a perfect fit for our group of 5 Dads and 5 teen sons. I would highly recommend Craig for any adventure in Patagonia!
Mat
Craig is a great guide and even better person. I would recommend him 100 times over for any backcountry adventure in Patagonia.
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