If you could go to Patagonia, what would you do there?

I am in the initial planning phases of planning a trip to the Patagonia area with a few buddies. I am aware that this is a large area, with lots of climbing options, but I am interested in suggestions and what you would do if you were there in August or so. This is for next year, and we are pretty open to other time periods as well. I think we'd have about two to three weeks for the trip.

A little about what we were thinking about-
-some long, big mountain trad, mixed pitches
-mountaineering a big peak
-a long painful backpacking excursion

We all climb at least 5.12 sport, boulder v6, 5.11 trad, have moderate mountaineering experience, and minimal ice climbing experience (but that could change if we are psyched about some idea).

Thanks for any suggestions!

Patagonia is going to be pretty cold in August, you might want to change your dates to the summertime. ;)

You can climb Aconcagua in 3-5 days, if you can convince them that you are qualified to go without a guide. If you can't get a permit for the top, you can hike up to the South face on a 3 day permit ($100), which is totally worth the time. There is a nice little bouldering area across the river from the town (something de Andes?) at the bottom of Aconcagua.

The Torres del Paine circle in 5 days is also incredible. It's really crowded at high season on the front side, but it is much nicer on the back side. I spent a half day just watching the edge of the glacier crumble into the water, and I have fond memories of many painful experiences on that trip :)

Good climbing at Frey, Bariloche is kindof lame though.. Go to El Bolson if you are down there instead, hitch it for extra adventure points.

Cochamo??

There are some nice long trekking adventures near Esquel in the Alerce forest - that forest is one of the most amazing places I have ever been, and I wish I had spent more time there.

If you do end up going in the winter, there is a lot to do up north as well, but not as much established climbing.. I hear the climbing near Cordoba is good. Most tourists go to the falls at Iguazu :)

Have fun!

go in november or december and try exocet and the ragini route. North pillar of fitz roy looks really cool, and poincinot. Other less big routes would be way cool too.

I'd probably buy a a new messenger bag, some man-pri's and some $30 socks so I look cool hanging out on Pearl Street.

damn, the sauce beat me to it!

Just wondering, why August? I've only been to Patagonia in March, but it'll probably be cold as fuck for climbing. I've heard Bariloche is beautiful in the winter, with great skiing though. Mendoza has good sport climbing, but again, I dunno how good it'll be in the winter.

I think the Exocet route would be a bit much for someone with little ice/mountaineering experience, heh. If you do go to El Chalten during the summer, there are some (sorta chossy) peaks that you could climb in the Fitz Roy range. You would not want to be there in winter.

Also, learn Spanish. You can get by well enough with English, but it would make the experience more valuable to be able to converse with people.

You realize the seasons are opposite down there right?

August in South America? I would go skiing, easy choice.

Ask Yvonne for a job?

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yes, I am aware of the reverse seasons. As I said, I am fine with changing this time-frame. August sounds like a time that would be colder than I thought so perhaps I would move it back to the fall/early winter here. August was a good time for me because of a break from school

I haven't yet been there myself, but from what I've gathered the best piece of advice is to just keep an open mind and schedule when it comes to route/peak selection. The best laid itineraries can get shut down due to weather and conditions so plan to be flexible and opportunistic.

Cerro Torre!

Gorge myself on ice cream and chocolate.

I'd go bouldering if I were you.

Jeff Chrisler wrote:Yes, I am aware of the reverse seasons. August sounds like a time that would be colder than I thought so perhaps I would move it back to the fall/early winter here.

You thought that the middle of their winter might be cold? Haha apparently you are NOT aware of the reverse seasons... If ya don't know that it gets cold in winter in Patagonia god help ya!

Perhaps you should consider somewhere safer like Disney World or Lego land?