Frey vs Cochamo?

Anyone have opinions on which to go to in late December/early January? Better weather? Better climbing? More wild and out there? Better social scene?

Bring a good tent, Cochamo rains all the time. Unless you've got months to spend there, I wouldn't go. When its not raining, it gets very hot and the Tabano flies come out to bite! I've seriously cruxed off climbs from that damn fly. They die off by mid February when temps get more reasonable. Also, be prepared for cracks you see from the ground which magically turn into seams when you're halfway up... These things aren't so bad, except you're committed to the Valley because of the approach. The Frey is great! you can hike into town if the weather sucks and party in Bariloche. Lots of cool climbers in both town and campground. I'd go there for that time frame.

Both places have loads of local high school kids in December-Jan doing a senior trip type of camp out- bring earplugs!

Cochamo will feel bigger, more wild and out there, and somehow have a more international social scene. The climbs are mostly longer, lower angled, and have a slabby feel to them. It rains there. A LOT.
The weather was better for me at Frey. Getting there seemed easier. The smaller towers have shorter approaches, jagged summits, and steeper, funner climbing.
If short on time, I'd go to Frey. If you really want to feel like you're on something big and wild, and you have the time to get there and wait out some rain if needed, go to Cochamo.