OVERVIEW
Cerro Huemul is one of the largest massifs in Los Glaciares National Park. Its walls, glaciers and ice tongues give it such a presence that in general a few people know or imagine that it has a normal route of ascension and without significant technical difficulties. This last characteristic makes Cerro Huemul into the only great mountain in the region, accessible to those who have no experience in mountaineering but are in good physical condition and want to make their first summit in area.
ITINERARY
Day 1: EL CHALTÉN – LAGUNA TORO CAMP
The guide will meet you at the hotel to begin a full day hike, during which we will enjoy the unique views of the granite massifs of the Torre and Fitz Roy mountains from Loma del Pliegue Tumbado viewpoint.
We will continue through a unique valley of Lengas and Ñires forests to finally reach Laguna Toro camp. We will set up the camp and we will prepare to rest.
Hiking time: 6:00 hrs.
Distance: 16 km
Elevation gain: 550 m (maximum elevation gain during the day)
Meals: Box Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy)
Day 2: LAGUNA TORO CAMP – PIEDRA PARTIDA CAMP
After a good breakfast, we begin the trekking along the Laguna Toro by its northern side until we reach the small canyon that forms the Río Túnel. We will cross it using a zip line, and then begin the ascent of the first half of the mountain.
A steep hillside, on firm rocky terrain, will lead us to the Piedra Partida Camp (vivac), a natural place located approximately 1,600 m above sea level. Here we will spend the night.
Hiking time: 8:00 hrs.
Distance: 5 km
Elevation gain:1,1600 m (maximum elevation gain during the day)
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy)
Day 3: PIEDRA PARTIDA CAMP – CERRO HUEMUL SUMMIT – LAGUNA TORO CAMP
After breakfast we will leave early in our attempt to reach the summit about 1,000 meters above the vivac.
The ascent begins following a snow of almost 40 degree slope, alternating between rock and snow to the top of the mountain.
Once we reach the edge, if conditions allow, we will have one of the most magnificent views in the region, not only for Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy, but also for Lago Viedma and the Viedma and Upsala glaciers, the Mariano Moreno range, and the Cerro Murallón to the south.
We will descent by the same route. After collecting the camping equipment at the vivac, we will continue to the Laguna Toro camp, where we will spend the last night.
Hiking time: 10:00 hrs.
Distance: 7 km
Elevation gain: 972 m (maximum elevation gain during the day)
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camp (sleeping tent in double occupancy)
Day 4: LAGUNA TORO – EL CHALTÉN
After breakfast, we will start walking with the Río Tunel on our right, following the path that will take us back to El Chaltén. We can enjoy the last views of the Torre and Fitz Roy hills. End of services.
Hiking time: 6:00 hrs.
Distance: 16 km
Elevation gain: 250 m (maximum elevation gain during the day)
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Accommodation: Not included
Note:
The hiking times, distances and elevation gains are tentative.
Remember that each person will have to carry their own personal equipment, box lunch and water during all the program route.
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INCLUDED
- Mountain guide
- Technical and camping equipment for the activity
- Three camping nights (double tent)
- Meals specified in the itinerary
- Communication
NOT INCLUDED
- Personal equipment
- Sleeping bag and insulating mat
- Porters for personal equipment
- All the services that are not specified in this program
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
- Water-proof trekking boots
- Lightweight footwear or sandals (which also serve to ford rivers)
- Synthetic mountain stockings (2 pairs)
- Strong fleece pants, trekking or other synthetic material
- Waterproof trousers with side closures (we recommend Gore-tex)
- Synthetic underwear (polypropylene): one shirt with long sleeves and one pair of leggings or thin inner pants
- Polar fleece jacket
- Duvet or synthetic jacket for warmth when not hiking
- Waterproof Shell jacket with hood (we recommend 3-layer Gore-tex)
- Polar fiber balaclava
- Polar fiber cap
- Glacier sun glasses with UV filter for high solar radiation, Category 4 or 5
- Ski goggles with UV filter
- One pair of thin gloves made of synthetic material
- One pair of polar gloves or mittens
- Cover mittens (We recommend Gore-tex)
- A backpack of 75/85 liters capacity
- One pair of trekking or ski poles with snow baskets
- Sleeping bag rated -10 C, Duvet or synthetic
- Insulating sleeping pad length (we recommend Therm-a-rest brand)
- Plastic bottle (if possible, wide mouth, Nalgene type)
- One-liter thermos for every two people sharing a tent
- Headlamp (with replacement batteries)
- Multi-purpose penknife
- Mug, bowl, knife, spoon & fork
- Sunscreen cream (SPF 50)
- Lipstick with sunscreen (SPF 50)
- Personal first aid kit with personal medicines
- Wide adhesive tape for blisters
- Hygiene items reduced to the minimum necessary
- Waterproof bags to pack clothes and keep it dry
- Photographic equipment reduced to a minimum
Booking Code: A – FRE 34
