Overview
Patagonian Mountain Skills Course

This course is ideal for any intrepid adventurers who want to master trekking and basic mountaineering skills in one of the world's most remote and breathtaking regions. For 21 days your home will be the Patagonian Ice Cap, the third largest in the world, and it’s surrounding temperate rainforest and incredible lakes. Here, surrounded by virgin peaks, alpine meadows, crystal lakes and the unpredictable Patagonian weather, you will acquire the skills you need to thrive in the backcountry and, ultimately, get to a level that you feel confident planning your own expeditions in the future. These skills range from route planning to crevasse rescue, environmental ethics to ice axe usage.

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An excellent expedition. I enjoyed the classes, and the guides were great. If only they carried our backpacks for us…

James S., Student, 2007

Highlights

Learning a variety of things from your experienced and qualified guides, including: 'Leave No Trace' camping and travel skills; crampon, belay and rope techniques; try ice climbing, rock climbing, abseiling, and, if weather allows, climb a nearby peak, knowledge about glacial travel, obtain a WEA (Wilderness Education Association) “Outdoor Leader” certification, the environment, local flora and fauna, and Patagonian natural history; practicing leadership skills; learning backcountry gourmet cooking skills; and building group dynamics.

Location

Expeditions commence from the small town of Coyhaique, Chile and move onto the Northern Ice Cap (Campo de Hielo Norte) for the duration of the trip. The access to the Northern Ice Cap is approximately five hours drive from Coyhaique, deep in the beautiful Aysen region of Chile.

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Field Conditions

After a brief stay at base camp to brief and prep for the trip, students will head out to camp in the remote Patagonian wilderness. Students will be completely self sufficient while in the field, carrying everything they need for the duration in their backpack. Your home will be high-quality mountain tents, and you will learn skills of cooking, cleaning and surviving in the wilderness. All food is provided but the group will cook together. Challenges include long (8-10 hours) days walking with heavy backpacks over uneven, challenging terrain in sometimes bad weather!

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What's Included

Pre-departure support, a 24-hour emergency phone line, professional instruction throughout from qualified and experienced guides. Transportation for the duration of the course, all food, tents, all group cooking equipment, all technical climbing equipment, all snow equipment, all safety equipment including first aid kits (except personal prescription medications), maps and compasses, Wilderness First Aid Practitioner qualification, Leave No Trace Practitioner qualification, Outdoor Leader certification.

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