Paso del Cuadrado Alpine Climbing

The certified UIAGM-IFMGA mountain guide Merlin has a great mountaineering 1-day option: an alpine climb to Paso del Cuadrado. Gaining an altitude of 1200 meters you won't believe the views from up there!

Andes

1 Day

Jan - Mar, Dec

Description

Paso del Cuadrado is located in the province of Santa Cruz near the great Electrico River. It is one of the best routes that leads mountaineers to Mount Fitz Roy. Besides, the trail is safe and well marked, gaining a high altitude between Cerro Electrico and its western point.

Once you are in Paso del Cuadrado you won’t believe such amazing viewpoint: all Fitz Roy’s back and its northern glacier, below us the Aguja Pollone with its glacier. And as if it wasn’t enough, Paso Marconi as a background of the landscape.

For more details of this 1-day alpine climbing in Paso del Cuadrado, please find below an estimate itinerary of the program.

itinerary

A transfer will take you 15 kilometers from El Chaltén to Electrico River. From there, we will start the trek in direction to Paso del Cuadrado across the Electrico valley. Once we arrive to “Piedra del Fraile”, we will hike on a scree terrain up to the foot of a small glacier.

Then, we must put the crampons and rope on in order to get to the top of the pass safely. And here comes the best part: the views that worth all the effort you did.

Time to rest for a while so that we are ready for the descent. We’ll use the same way than in the ascent. Once in Electrico River we’ll drive back to El Chaltén.

As you may notice, it is a adventure suitable for well-trained people. Take into account that the total hiking time will be around 12 hours and the altitude change, 1.200 meters.

Please, feel free to contact me and ask me all the questions you have. I am an experienced guide and know the Patagonia very well. I can help you to find the best option for you.

Get in touch with me now and I’ll guarantee the best alpine experience in El Chaltén!

Price includes

Guiding fee
Transport during the trip

About the guide

Merlín

5.0

(88)

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 this trip

Liam

I have been fortunate enough to visit El Chalten twice this year. The first time was with friends and we used Mountaineering Patagonia to climb Cerro Madsen. The weather was terrible, but the experience could not have been better. This winter though, I took my parents down and we signed up for Paso Del Cuadrado. We were joking today that it was the best hike we have ever been on. The guides (Martin and Max) met us the night before to check gear and go over the route. They were very good at explaining every detail. They met us the next morning with hot coffee and even better attitudes. As my mother put it, they set the perfect pace as we climbed 4000 vertical feet over 7 miles. I repeat the trip could not have been better. We made it to the pass with ease, never feeling out of control or unsafe. Bottom line: I am going to keep coming back to El Chalten and every time I will visit Merlin and his staff and go on one of their hikes. You would be foolish to not go with them.