San Valentin Expedition with Soren Kruse Ledet

On arrival at the Balmaceda airport, you will be met by our local representative who will share the journey with you. We have a long drive ahead of us, down the Austal road to Puerto Guadal, so it is important you arrive no later than 12:00*. The drive will take us by Coyhaique, the capital of the Aysen region. If time allows, we will make a stop at the La Capilla de Marmol (the marble chapel) which is a magnificent marble cave, sculpted over eons by wind and water, set on the emerald green to turquoise blue waters of the General Carrera Lake. The lake is shared by Argentina and Chile, the fourth largest and largest in each respectively. We will spend the night at a charming lodge, which has a spectacular view of the lake and partake our first Patagonian dinner together as a group. *Note: Due to flight schedules it may be necessary for an additional night pre tour in Balmaceda/Coyhaique and we can help you book these additional arrangements. Overnight Terra Luna lodge.

Meals:  L,D

Full day of preparation and expedition briefing at our lodge on the shores of Lake General Carrera. The lodge with its northwest orientation, more than 400m of beach and an extraordinary view of the lake and surrounding mountains, is the perfect base for our preparations. Overnight Terra Luna lodge.

Meals:  B,L,D

While the group makes its way to Lake Leones peninsula via jet boat & zodiac, a helicopter transports loads to Campo Italiano, and then a short ride on the helicopter to Campo Italiano. We set the camp with a fantastic panorama on the East side of the Northern icecap mountain range. Overnight camping

Meals:  B,L,D

Cross the icecap using snow shoes to reach Raton camp. We first have to climb 200m on a snow slope with crevasses to get to the pass that leads to the icefield. Once in this spectacular alpine environment we descend 200m and begin a long traverse (11kms) to reach a rocky ridge with an extraordinary view on the ice cap. A long day of about 8 hours on the ice cap, sharing the work of pulling a sled and carrying your full pack, before establishing camp for the evening, which generally takes about 2 hours, depending on the conditions. Overnight camping

Meals:  B,L,D

Climb to Terrace Camp. A steady climb of about 500m to a pass between Mount Tobler and Fiero with extraordinary views of the Northern Patagonian Icefield with Mount San Valentin in the background. We camp just below the pass in front of the mountain. Again, crossing the Ice Cap involves pulling a sled and using snow shoes and this will take some time getting used to for those unfamiliar with the process. We will assist you in rigging your sled and demonstrating the various techniques for using snow shoes on glaciated terrain. Overnight camping

Meals:  B,L,D

Long traverse of about 9km on a steady incline to set our camp at the base of San Valentin. We are now above 3000m, so pulling a sled and carrying a heavy pack will feel more exhausting at this altitude. But we have arrived at the base of San Valentin, and from here will launch our bid for the summit. Overnight camping

Meals:  B,L,D

This is the most serious part of the expedition. Summit day involves a long traverse on an exposed ridge, steep at parts up to 45 degrees, with high winds common. After 2-3hrs on the ridge we finally reach the summit plateau which leads slowly to the summit mushroom that we have to climb to reach the summit. We then need to recount our steps back to high camp, a long and exhausting day of 12+hrs of continuous climbing. 3 contingency days set aside in the case of poor weather. Sleds and snow shoes are not used on summit day, but rather traditional climbing gear. Overnight camping

Meals:  B,L,D

Return to Raton Camp via the same route we took earlier in the expedition. Overnight camping

Meals:  B,L,D

Return to Italian Camp via the same route we took earlier in the expedition. Overnight camping

Meals:  B,L,D

Helicopter flight to Peninsula to get down to Terra Luna (with zodiac and jet boat or cars), while equipment is sent directly to the lodge by helicopter. Overnight camping

Meals:  B,L,D

Rest and reorganisation day. Depending on the conditions, we may use this day earlier in the trip as a contingency/weather day. If we are in Terra Luna, you may like to spend some well earned time in the sauna and spa at the lodge. Overnight Terra Luna lodge.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a hearty breakfast, we will journey by road to Balmaceda, stopping for lunch on the way. We recommend an afternoon flight given Terra Luna Lodge is located 290 km south of Balmaceda Airport (approx. 4-5 hours). Depending on flight schedules it may be necessary for an additional night post tour in Balmaceda/Coyhaique and we can help you book these additional arrangements. Our trip concludes on arrival to Balmaceda.

Meals:  B,L