Ice trek Glaciar Cagliero
An exciting and demanding excursion that combines valley walk, vía ferrata and trekking on the Cagliero glacier.
Data sheet
Season: October 10 to April 20.
Length: 1 day (10 hrs).
Starts: Pick-up at the hotel 08:00 a.m.
Hike: 9 hours.
Distance: 11 mi.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Elevation gain: 1,800 ft (maximum elevation gain during the day).
Minimum group: 1 participant (Scheduled excursion is confirmed with one person).
Overview
Assisted by our best mountain guides, we invite you to enjoy a trekking exploring dreamed forests. Then, we feel as climbers with all the security of a "Via Ferrata" and finally walk on the centenary ice of the Cagliero Glacier. Undoubtedly, this unique program immerses us like no other in deep and unexplored Patagonia.
Trekking map
Itinerary
The excursion begins in El Chaltén at 8:00 a.m., where the Company's vehicle will pick you up from your hotel to go to the head of the trail located 16 km away, in the Lago del Desierto Provincial Reserve. You will tour the native Lenga forest, on a path away from the most traveled classics
We will enjoy the unusual view of Fitz Roy, its northern wall.
We continue skirting the Laguna del Diablo through a natural but irregular terrain until we reach the beginning of the Via Ferrata.
The Via Ferratas are rock sectors with little difficulty that have previously been prepared with artificial steps and steel cables.
Here, the guides will explain how to use the harness to move along the route autonomously, safely and accompanied at all times by the mountain guides.
As the meters pass, the crossing becomes more and more entertaining, transforming this part of the activity into an excursion in itself and the views will improve as we gain altitude.
Approximately 1.30 hours will take us to the Glacier viewpoint.
From there to the North we can see the unexplored Glaciar Cagliero Sur (950 m), which for years remained alive thanks to its orientation and the accumulation of snow from the Neumayer, Cagliero and Loma del Diablo hills.
From the viewpoint a short walk will take us to the front of the glacier where the guides equip us with crampons to start the walk on the glacier proper.
The average stay on the glacier is 2 hours, depending on the climatic conditions and the physical level of the group.
In the afternoon we return to the front of the glacier. We begin with the descent by a Tibetan bridge to the Río Diablo, where we will leave the technical equipment and enjoy a hot drink.
From there we continue to the entrance of the Reserva where our vehicle will be waiting for us (5:30 pm approximately)
After the transfer back to El Chaltén, the services end..
Note
The hiking times, distances and elevation gains are tentative.
Price
Price per person
Included
Mountain guide.
Entrance fee.
Round trip transportation from El Chaltén to the starting point.
Technical equipment for the activity (crampons, harnesses, helmets, etc.).
Not included
Box lunch.
Personal equipment.
All the services that are not specified in this program.
Tips.
Personal equipment
Recommended equipment
A backpack of 30 liters capacity (Day pack).
Water-proof trekking boots.
Synthetic mountain stockings (2 pairs).
Strong fleece pants, trekking or other synthetic material.
Waterproof trousers with side closures (we recommend Gore-tex)
A synthetic polypropylene shirt.
Polar fleece jacket.
Waterproof Shell jacket with hood (we recommend Gore-tex).
Polar fiber cap.
Glacier sun glasses with UV filter for high solar radiation.
One sun cap.
One pair of polar gloves.
Plastic bottle (if possible, wide mouth, Nalgene type).
Sunscreen cream (SPF 50).
Lipstick with sunscreen (SPF 50).
Hygiene items.
Photographic equipment.
One pair of trekking or ski poles (optional).
Equipment rental
If you do not have any of the items mentioned, in El Chaltén town you will find several Rental Stores.
All photos are courtesy of Fitz Roy Expediciones.