Proposal

Itinerary

Day 1: Bariloche - Meiling Refuge

7:00 AM: Transfer from San Carlos de Bariloche to Pampa Linda.
Entrance to Nahuel Huapi National Park and gear preparation.
Trekking to the Otto Meiling refuge (5 to 6 hours carrying your own gear).
Overnight stay at the refuge. Preparation for summit day.
Total activity hours: 6 to 7 hours.

Day 2: Meiling Refuge - Pico Argentino Summit - Meiling Refuge

Summit attempt day for Pico Argentino.
Glacier ascent and climbing on a 50° slope.
Return to the refuge.
Total activity hours: 12 to 14 hours (round trip).

Day 3: Meiling Refuge - Bariloche

Descent to Pampa Linda.
Transfer back to Bariloche.
End of services.

Note

Intense expedition; good physical condition is required.

Included Services

Transfers:

Initial transfer from Bariloche.

Final transfer back to Bariloche.

Accommodation: 2 nights at the mountain refuge (sleeping bag required).

Mountain Cuisine: Half board at the refuge (dinner and breakfast) x 2.

Safety: General first-aid kit.

General Climbing Gear: Ropes, ice screws, and snow stakes.

Communication: VHF radio (handy) and satellite communication.

Professionals: Professional High Mountain Guides.

Assistance & Support:

Detailed pre-activity briefing and advice.

Personal gear check with you to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Pre-trip informational meeting.

24/7 support starting on Day 1 of the activity.

Services NOT included

Travel: Transportation to/from San Carlos de Bariloche.

City Expenses: Overnight stays and personal expenses in the city.

Food & Snacks: Lunches and trail food (we recommend cold meals) during the day.

Personal Climbing Gear: Full personal gear including crampons, ice axe, harness, carabiners, belay/rappel devices, slings, cordelettes, and helmet (rental options available).

Contingency Costs: Any expenses incurred due to early departure or abandonment of the itinerary.

Drinks: Beverages (complimentary drinking water is available at the refuge).

Photo and Video Gallery

Cerro Tronador - ascenso a cumbre - Pico Argentino - Patagonia

Cuando soñas vas en ascenso?

Albums

Tronador Ascent

Where do you sleep

3 nights at the Otto Meiling refuge (mattresses + sleeping bag) and 1 night at the Agostino Rocca refuge in Paso de las Nubes (sea beds + sleeping bag).

Faq

Is this a difficult ascent?

Yes. The technical difficulty lies in the final $50^circ ext{ to }55^circ$ slopes leading to the summit of Pico Argentino, as well as glacier travel, which requires walking roped up and using an ice axe and crampons. However, a short clinic on these techniques will be provided on the mountain the day before the summit attempt.

Do I need to be in good physical shape / trained?

Yes. For this expedition, it is essential to have proper physical training to endure between 12 and 15 hours of intense activity while carrying a heavy backpack (around 15 kg).

Do I need prior experience?

It is important to have some prior experience in multi-day trekking and mountain camping. Summit day is highly demanding.

Where do we sleep?

Overnight stays are at the Otto Meiling refuge or in mountain tents pitched right next to it.

What is the weather and temperature like?

You will be right next to or on top of a glacier. Even though you might warm up during the ascent, temperatures are cold.

What is the minimum age for this activity?

Participants must be at least 16 years old.

How heavy is the backpack?

Approximately between 14 and 18 kilograms (30 to 40 lbs).

Is there a porter service available?

No. Everyone must carry their own personal gear and weight up the mountain. However, private porter services can be hired upon request and must be booked well in advance.

Difficulty graduation

Mochila: Peso / Duración de la Jornada.

Exigencia Física

Técnico: Dificultad en el Terreno / Equipo.

Fortaleza Psicológica

Exposición a la Altura

Backpack (M)

This point has to do with the weight that we must carry in our backpacks. Trekkings or crossings where we have pack animals allow us to bear less weight on our backs. And the multi-day journeys in Patagonia (without the option of having pack mules) generally make us carry more weight, especially in the early days.

20% Up to 5 Kilos: Short excursion walks / Trekking Talampaya

40% Up to 8/10 Kilos: Round-trip trekking / Vallecitos 3 and 4-day programs

60% Up to 12/15 kilos: Crossing trekking with porting / Crossing of the Andes Paso Portillo

80% More than 15/18 kilos: Cross-country trekkings with little or no portage / Trekkings in Patagonia (Paso Vuriloche, PN Lanin or Nahuel Huapi, etc)

100% More than 25 Kilos: With a lot of equipment on top and little or no porting / Continental Ice

Fitness (F)

We consider physical demands to the wear that we can suffer both aerobic (climbs = possible shortness of breath) and muscle (resistance = many hours walking) and of legs and joints (descents = knees / ankles).

20% half a day or less with little unevenness.

40% more sustained slopes and longer days in the activity. 2-3 days / more than 6 hours per day.

60% Long ascents and descents with a longer duration. Ascents to more than 4000 meters in the central mountain range / intense 4-day trekking (Uruguayan plane)

80% Important work of legs in resistance. Very long days. Very long day ascents (Lanin - Domuyo) or more than 5000 meters. Ice courses.

100% Maximum demand. Aerobic work and constant effort on legs. Continental Ice, Aconcagua, mountains of more than 6000 meters.

Technical (T)

The technical difficulty is mainly based on the terrain. How much can it cost us to climb a slope, if it is very steep or if we have to use our hands in some section (simple climbing), both in rock and snow-ice, or materials such as crampons and pegs in other ascents.

20% flat land

40% trails with moderate ups and downs. General crossing trekkings . Sierra de la Ventana, Córdoba, Patagonia, Cuyo, north, others. Classic ascents

60% Steeper slopes and trails. Possible use of crampons. Domuyo, Cordón del Plata, Cordillera Central.

80% Mixed terrain, with snow or ice. Alvear, Lanin, Tronador. Bolivia, Peru.

100% Highly technical terrain. Glacial transit and climbing in sections. Hill climbing with sections on slopes of more than 60 ° inclination

Psycho (P)

We maintain that this point, the psychological factor, represents a relevant factor. Each one needs a factor of conviction, confidence, self-control and will power to achieve a goal. And depending on the attitude with which we face distances, slopes, terrain and many other objective factors, we can achieve performance with very different results.

20% We will not be much affected.

40% This is a normal level of attention.

60% We require more motivation, enthusiasm and concentration.

80% The activity will require us to be very connected and convinced.

100% Maximum control and emotional-psychological performance.

Adventures (A)

It is the factor that, the height above sea level, influences us depending on the activity we carry out. Managing and overcoming symptoms caused by altitude is the key to this point

0% + sea level.

20% Up to 2000 masl.

40% + 2000 masl.

60% + 4000 masl.

80% + 5000 masl.

100% + 6000 masl.

Required equipment

Backpack: Technical trekking backpack (70 to 80 liters).
Sleeping Bag: Warm sleeping bag ($–15^circ ext{C}$ comfort rating, e.g., 800/1000g of down/duvet or high-quality synthetic).
Sleeping Pad: Foam insulating mat (10 to 15mm).
Inflatable Sleeping Pad: Optional (for extra comfort).
Trekking Poles

Footwear (Pies)

Mountaineering Boots: Suitable for 4,000-meter peaks (double boots not strictly required). Must be waterproof.
Camp Shoes: 1 pair of lightweight trekking shoes or outdoor sneakers.

Base Layer (Primera capa / Primera piel)

Changes of underwear.
Cotton t-shirts (only for camp use or sleeping).
Synthetic short-sleeve t-shirts.
Synthetic long-sleeve shirt.
Polypropylene (or similar synthetic) thermal bottoms/leggings (no cotton).
Liner gloves (thin polypropylene or similar, no cotton).
Pairs of thin polypropylene liner socks (no cotton).
Buff / Multifunctional headwear.

Mid Layer / Insulation (Segunda capa - Abrigo)

Pairs of trekking socks (synthetic/thermal).
Pairs of thick mountaineering socks.
A few pairs of cotton or wool socks (wool is great for sleeping).
1 pair of long trekking pants.
2 warm mid-layers (fleece, softshell, or similar).
Down jacket (duvet).
Warm beanie (fleece or wool).

Outer Layer / Shell (Tercera capa - Cortaviento e Impermeable)

Waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex, Ultrex, or similar hardshell).
Waterproof pants / Rain pants (Gore-Tex or ski pants type).
Outer gloves or mittens (waterproof and breathable, ski-style allowed).
Mountaineering gaiters.

Technical Gear (Available for rent / Equipo técnico)

Crampons
Ice axe (Piqueta)
Climbing/Mountaineering helmet
Harness + personal tether/safety lanyard + 3 carabiners + 2 cordelettes
Snowshoes or alpine touring skis (esquí de travesía)

Personal Documents

ID / Passport.
Medical insurance / Health insurance card.

Miscellaneous (Varios)

Headlamp: LED headlamp with spare batteries.
Dry Bags / Plastic Bags: Heavy-duty plastic bags to keep clothes dry inside the pack.

Health & Hygiene

Sunglasses: Mountain sunglasses with UV protection (Category 4).
Personal First-Aid Kit: Including any personal prescription medication with its medical order.
Sun Protection: High SPF sunscreen and lip balm.
Toiletries: Soap, small shampoo (to share), and a small quick-dry towel.
Sanitation: Toilet paper, tissues, and wet wipes (baby wipes).
Swimwear: Shorts/swimsuit (for the hot springs).
Sun Hat: Cap or bucket hat for sun protection.