Overview
42-Day Mountaineering Course in Patagonia

From climbing to the summit of snow-capped peaks and crossing the incredible Patagonian Ice cap, to mastering ice and snow climbing techniques, the Patagonia Mountaineering course gives you have the opportunity to enjoy the extremes of the mountains. For 40 days your home will be the remote Patagonian Ice Cap, the third largest in the world, where you will learn the mountaineering skills you need to thrive in the backcountry, and ultimately be confident planning your own mountaineering expeditions in future. With fantastic landscape, the infamous Patagonian weather and lots of adventures to enjoy on the way, this mountaineering course is bound to get you hooked… marking just the start of your mountaineering days!

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The trip was great fun and a good introduction to the technical side of mountaineering. The guides were amazing - very informative, safety conscious and professional. Brilliant job, well run and a friendly atmosphere!

Ian L, Student, 2007

Highlights

Cross the Patagonian Icecap, and climb some incredible peaks. Learn snow and ice climbing techniques: crampon and ice axe use, rope use for glacier travel, belaying, anchor building, abseiling, and practice using them in context. Develop backcountry leadership, safety, and judgement skills. Obtain a Wilderness Education Association “Outdoor Leader” certification, a Wilderness Medical Outfitter “Wilderness First Aid” certification, an Avalanche Level I Certification, and a “Leave No Trace” practitioner certification.

Location

The course takes place on the Patagonian Icecap, part of Laguna San Rafael National Park in Chile. Covering 1.7 million hectares, the park encompasses the entire Northern Ice Cap and a third of the Southern Ice Cap, as well as old glacial valleys, beech forest, rocky ridges and higher up to the snowy expanses of the ice cap itself. The Course commences 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 an initial two-day period at base camp in Coyhaique you will head out to the remote Patagonian wilderness. Your home will be high-quality mountain tents, and you will learn the mountaineering and camping skills needed to thrive in the wilderness. All food is provided, but the group will cook together. In the field you will be sharing a tent with 2 other students. If conditions allow or demand, we will spend some nights in snow caves. Be prepared for diverse weather conditions!

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What's Included

Pre-departure support, in country support structure, Professional instruction throughout the six weeks 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, a group first aid kit (you must provide personal medications per our gear list), maps and compasses, Wilderness First Aid Practitioner qualification, Leave No Trace Practitioner qualification, Avalanche Level 1 qualification.

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