Activities
easily accessible from our Hotel
Things to do:Big wall
&
Rock climbing :
Ice climbing:
Mountaineering:
“Andinism:” Heliski & Ski-mountaineering :
Trekking :
Horse riding :
Thermal Springs :Bird watching :
Fossil hunting :
Relaxing
Big Walls: [
+/- ] Rock,
Ice and one of the most difficult ascents in South America. Read
on.....
Mount Morado
southern face – 4490m – 5.9
Mount San Francisco
– 4345mlassic ascent over
rock & ice , various routes. Mount Arenas southern
face – 4366m Punta Zanzi northern
face – 3800m Mount Meson Alto
south face – 5257m
Rock Climbing: [
+/- ] We
have some great options for rock climbing, watch climbers
from the refugio. More
info ....
Placa Roja –
vertical uplifted
plate with 3 principal routes 5.7 – 5.10. Equipped
– watch climbers from the refugio.
Placa Gris –
north face – 5.8 with stunning views.Hitchcock zone –
a new climbing area (5.7 – 5.12) currently
being equipped catering to all levels. Easy access.San Gabriel –
good granite cracks and sport climbing 5.8-5.11c
Ice Climbing: [
+/- ] The
Cajon offers several possibilities
for ice climbing, either to practice or as a challenge
to the climbing experts.
More info on the Morado glacier and San Jose volcano
ice climbs.
Morado
Glacier –
hanging glacier good for practicing & single
day climbs. Morado
south east route – 6-7 hours from camp at 3200m
.
San Jose volcano cascade
– high altitude climbing for experts.For more detailed information
please visit www.escalando.cl
. The refugio is in contact
with experts in these areas if you need specific
advice or info.
Mountaineering: [
+/- ] High
Altitude climbs
View your options...
‘High altitude ’:
Mount San Francisco –
4345m – moderately difficult with some
easy rock climbing San Jose Volcano –
5856m – technically easy with no climbing
but multiple nights at altitude. Marmolejo – 6108m
– the most southern 6000er in the world.
Not technical but several nights at altitude.
Note! For
all of these peaks, the refugio can organize transport
to the trail head and/or mules. Both Marmolejo &
San Jose are commonly used as preparation for Aconcagua.
“Andinism”: [
+/- ] Options
range from easy to moderate. Check
out the peaks..
Easy
Mount Union(3658m) Spectacular
valley with hanging glacier. Mount Chacaya(2839m)
Accessed from Morado National Park.
Medium
Mirador del Morado(3883m)
Ascent over glaciers surrounded by steep peaks.
Note! www.andeshandbook.cl
The refugio holds information on all these local
peaks and can help with logistics. We also have
maps and books here to help with planning trips
etc.
Equipment
rentals: [ +/- ] Refugio has the
following equipment for rent:
Snow shoes CH$5,000 /day Trekking poles CH$3,000
/day Or both CH$7,500 /day
Buying equipment in Chile: [
+/- ] This is the only shop
in Chile we are aware of that specializes in Mountaineering
equipment.
Heliski and Ski Mountaineering: [
+/- ] Helicopters
can land behind the Refugio to drop off and pick up passengers. View
your options...
Andes
Heliski who provide and organize everything
for you. Alternatively you can contact Alfa
Helicopters and make your own arrangements.
Trekking: [
+/- ] There are a wealth of
possibilities for the trekker in this part of the Cajon.
Check out the myriad of possibilities..
Lo Valdes : from behind the Refugio there is easy
access to the valley from which one accesses the
peaks Dientes del Diablo, Diablo, Retumbadero and
Corona. Steep to begin with the path soon flattens
out to a typical glacial valley. A LANChile flight
crashed up there in 1965 of which
there are still some remains and a small refugio
provides the perfect place to stop for lunch or
even spend the night. Morado National Park :
Only 5 minutes by car from the Refugio, less than
½ hour by foot, this park is run by CONAF
who will charge you CH$1,500 to enter. Spectacular
scenery ringed by 5,000m peaks. 4 km into the park
brings you to the Panimavida – a meadow of
bubbling cool mineral springs. Another 2 km brings
you to Lake Molars near which it is permitted to
camp. Alternatively proceed 2 km to the foot of
San Francisco glacier. A perfect day hike from the
Refugio which can organize a packed lunch with drinks.
(It is not advisable to drink much of the water
in the park because of the high mineral content.)
Arenas Valley :
A 2 day return trek up to a stunning coffee colored
lake with floating ice and a hanging glacier behind.
An easy, relatively flat trek along an easily identifiable
path through beautiful glacial scenery. Lower down
in the valley is an area of large boulders some
of which are formed from compressed volcanic mud.
With a car it is possible to do this walk in a day.
Transport can sometimes be organized in the refugio
if you don't have the time for 2 days trekking.
Engorda Valley and Refugio
Plantat : The starting point for Marmolejo and
San Jose, Engorda is a beautiful wide flat valley
at the foot of San Jose. Full of flowers in early
summer, a great trek between 2 fast flowing rivers
to the gully which starts the steady climb up to
Refugio Plantat, through stunning green pastures
and cold Andean streams. Possible in a day for fast
walkers.
Horse riding: [
+/- ] Nature,
silence and fresh mountain air, explore the Andes on horseback.
Possible destinations and daily prices....
The Refugio can organize horse
riding to all those places described in ‘trekking’.
When calculating the cost of this one must add the
price of a horse for a guide for up to 8 people.
9 people and more require 2 guides. (Example : 3
people + guide = 4 horses) one
can rent horses by the hour CH$4,000/horse.
Thermal Springs: [
+/- ] Treat yourself to a well
earned soak in the valley's hot springsCheck
out the "La Colina" hot springs
The La
Colina thermal baths are about 11 km from the Refugio
and comprise 9 pools with temperatures ranging from
a scalding 60c to a lukewarm 20c. The facilities
are rustic (a small shed for changing and showering)
but give you the real feel of soaking in a thermal
bath out in the middle of snowcapped Andean mountains.
The perfect finish to a hard days walking. towels
available for guests to use at the baths for a modest
CH$1,000.
Bird Watching: [
+/- ] Observe
the Andean Condor in it's natural environment.
And naturally the others
The valley is rife with bird
life including of course the majestic Andean Condor,
Black Chested Buzzard Eagles, Falcons, Chilean Flickers
and Mustachioed Turcas.
Fossil Hunting: [
+/- ] Search for marine fossils
from the Mesozoic Era.Within
walking distance from the Refugio
Relaxing: [
+/- ] Peace, tranquility, comfort,
great food.Right
here at the Refugio
