Overview
This course is designed for fit and motivated beginners and for climbers who wish to review their skills. Northern Patagonia offers some of the finest mountaineering training ground and unlike most of the Andes, practice and climbing time can be maximized here, as we are not limited by a high altitude environment. We provide in-depth training in all phases of mountaineering, and two-to-three major glaciated peaks are attempted to put these skills to use.

Course Objectives
Increasing technical knowledge/skills in all aspects of snow and alpine climbing.

Developing educated, self-reliant climbers with the ability to evaluate subjective/objective hazards.

Patagonia Challenges
Cerro Tronador (3,491m /11,224ft) the highest mountain in Northern Patagonia, stands less than 30 kilometers from tidewater in the region where glacier carved fjords begin to deeply incise the west coast of Chile. Numerous active glaciers and large impressive icefalls cascade down its steep, multiple high summits. This forms many challenging climbing routes as well as excellent training terrain.

Volcán Osorno (2,652m /8,701ft) is a beautiful, classically-shaped volcano draped in glacier ice. It rises from the shores of beautiful blue Lago Llanquehue as an abrupt western outlier of the range and offers esthetic but moderate climbing and training.

Volcán Calbuco (2,000m /6,571-ft) is an ice-capped volcano standing close behind the regional capital city of Puerto Montt. This summit is an outstanding viewpoint of both the higher peaks nearby and the western lowlands and salt water bays and fjords. It is a perfect introduction to snow climbing in the region and lends itself well to learning and practicing steep technique in a less threatening environment.

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