Everest 2006
The North Ridge- New!
Call Now!
800.247.1263
Classic rock climbing in the Torres del Paine! (or Fitzroy area!)
Punta Arenas: We meet in this southernmost city in Chile near the very end of the South American Continent. The infamous "Straights of Magellan" border this town, great seafood! Lots of things to see if we have extra time!
Puerto Natales: Our first day, (depending on flight schedules), we travel to Puerto Natales near the fiords of Western Patagonia. Basically a small fishing village in the heart of huge sheep ranches; a friendly town, our last stop on the way to Torres Del Paine Park. We’ll pick up our fresh food for the expedition and organize our horse support before going into the park.
Torres del Paine National Park: Its about 3 hours up to the Park from Puerto Natales, along the way we'll see lots of Nandus (In the Ostrich family), and Guanacos (Llama like). A fascinating transition as we soon get a view of the Torres or Towers: huge granite spires reaching thousands of feet above the surrounding plains! We check in with the administration center for our climbing permits, and then stay at the Las Torres campground at the trailhead. Depending on personal experience and goals we have several options listed below:
1) Valle Bader Area: This is the place for some of the best climbing in the Torres without being extremely serious. The Bader Valley is within a weather shadow and has consistently better weather than the Valle Silencio and the upper towers. This can make the difference in reaching a summit or waiting a long time. An excellent warm up wall with lots of longer routes allows climbing during some of the bad weather days also. La Espalda Torre is the most striking feature in this valley and our choice for climbing in here. There are many options for all abilities in the Bader Valley.
La Espalda Torre: This spectacular tower lies at the upper end of the Bader Valley and can be reached via the Valle Frances or Valle Bader. Espalde is truly a dramatic shorter tower that is our main objective in this area. We also recommend this area for anyone we have not climbed with before. 5.8 and harder, some wall climbing (jummaring). Possible new routes in this area!
2) Valle Silencio Area: The Valle Silencio offers one of the most amazing collections of granite towers and walls anywhere in the world. It’s a 2 day walk into base camp along the Rio Ascensio, then another day up into the Silencio Valle. This area has some of the harder routes. We only offer the standard routes in this area and only after doing some shorter projects to make sure we can move fast enough in this serious environment.
Torre Norte and the Monzino Route: This spectacular tower offers some great free climbing. To reach the base of the tower requires climbing a 2500 ft. steep snow/ice couloir (rock fall danger!) to the col bich and the start of the rock climbing. Two 5.10 pitches and then 6 more, easier ropes (5.5-5.8) lead up to a spectacular summit. This route can be done in one day from a high bivi. We successfully guided this route in 1998!
Torre Sur: This is a very real world of big routes. A multi-day free/aid climb on the very exposed north ridge of Torre Sur. Only for those that have climbed with us before and can move extremely well over steep technical ground.
Back to Punta Arenas: From Torres Del Paine Park we travel back to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas for the night. The next day onto Punta Arenas for flights home.
Included: All permits, ground transportation, airport transfers, hotels in Puerto Natales (2 nights), American guide, all meals while climbing and trekking, all park fees, group climbing and camping equipment.
Not Included: Airfare to/from Punta Arenas, meals in restaurants (Punta Arenas/Puerto Natales/lodges in park), alcohol and bottled water, any extra nights in hotels, gifts, visas, departure taxes, personal equipment.
Length: 14 days.
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult rock climbing in an alpine environment with the possibility of extreme weather.
Accommodations: Hotels (2 nights), camping at base and advanced base camps. Upgrade to 4+ star hotels in Puerto Natales: $400;
Trip Price: Please see schedule for current prices and departure dates.
Guides: Scott Woolums, Todd Rutledge, or Bill Allen.