It's now looking likely we'll be going in mid Nov for about a month. Hoping to end with the Torres del Paine circuit, left til then cos of potential snow problems on the JG pass. Probably go to Los Glaciares/Fitzroy, maybe at the start.
So, any suggestions on cheapest/best ways of getting there and back again? Also, we'll have time for another area/trek while there, so suggestions would be great.
Finally, for the T del P at that time of year, how likely is it that we'll need axe and perhaps crampons? Not that keen to lug them around for the rest of the trip.
Hi Rob, no-one seems to be replying who has been before. We are going about the same time but staying longer and going north to the High Andes. It seems to be the next thing after the Pyrenees Haute route! We prefer South America to the Himalayas because of less pressure to be guided and have an entourage of mules, (yaks) muleteers, their horses, guides, cooks, porters etc. We were planning on working up to Mercedario or Ojos Del Salado, Aconcagua is too busy for us. The Argentinian side seems less red tape bound than the Chilean, but the maps are worse.
We will be taking ice axe and crampons for the High Andes so Torres del Paine might be allright for us. We havn't booked booked flights yet. We might yet decide to do the high Andes first and get to Patagonia in January.
Hi Derek, thanks for that. Lucky you going for longer! Sounds good trip. It's an area I'm not at all familiar with, but have ordered small scale map which will help get bearings. I'll be interested to hear how your plans go.
Axe and crampons totally unnecessary for El Circuito Grande in TdP for the time of year you are going. You may have to kick your way through a bit of snow at John Gardner, but I doubt it. (If there is a ton of snow the pass will be officially "closed").
In Los Glaciares I would highly recommend walking the minor peak Loma del Pliegue Tumbado for spectacular views, as well as doing the usual Fitz Roy/Cerro Torre stuff.
Hi Eddie, thanks - will look into it. Now going first to Tierra del Fuego, possibly the Dientes Circuit. Will be away for 4 1/2 weeks, so may have time for a 4th trip somewhere. Flying into and back out of Punto Arenas, and will probably fly down to Puerto Williams, possibly return by bus, or vice versa.
I believe the weather is (even) windier in T de F but we may look into the possibility of the 4th part there, assuming we're not feeling like a respite from the wind! But obviously everywhere will be subjected to this.
No buses to/from Puerto Williams. Flying only realistic option from Arenas, ferry is more expensive and takes forever - unless you get the bus to Ushuaia and go from there (12 hours on the bus, probably don't want to do that both ways). Coming back that way makes sense for a stop in Ushuaia. The Paso de la Oveja is a really good short trek (We took 3 days, nightmare weather). The weather in TdP/Los Glaciares is notoriously changeable, but down there is it ridiculous. Prepare for the whole gamut of conditions in half a day.
