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The name Domuyo comes from the Mapuche language and means "that trembles and grumbles". However, several days of work in his imposing and desolate kingdom may not be enough to hear tremors or continuous grumbles. What can be perceived, in the gradual discovery, in the step by step of footprints and rustic paths, is an insurmountable dose of peace and immaculate eternity. Today, it has been proven that its geological name of volcano is not the right one. It only belongs to a massif whose location has to do with a volcanic environment. Its 4709 m.a.s.l. represent a good challenge to the mountaineer. But beyond the height, what is impressive is its structure. The powerful south face, the one that is part of the route known as normal and the most used, has a ridge that, seen from the Covunco Valley, is really moving. Its south-southwest glacier is divided into two parts by a kind of long Nunatak and is the official origin of the Covunco River. The Portezuelo del Viento is visibly located between a semi-rounded nose to the East and a kind of striking needle to the West. Between this needle and the source of the mentioned glacier rises the short, snowy and steep south wall that rises from the glacier to the edge that leads to the pre-summit.
The volcano is located on an edge of the so-called Cordillera del Viento, north of the province of Neuquén, in the northern reaches of Patagonia. This mountain range does not belong geologically or geographically to the Cordillera de los Andes. Millions of years ago, before the formation of the Andes itself, the area currently occupied by the Domuyo was completely covered by sea. Hence the amount of marine fossil remains such as ammonites, trilobites, algae and others that are usually found on its slopes. Eroded and volcanic rock is the common denominator throughout the terrain and presents a unique drawback when traversing long snowless hauls and exposed sheer ridges.
Our style in expeditions to Domuyo:
There are several ways to try to access the summit of any mountain. In this case there are options to make rapid ascents in duration and very explosive, trying the summit from the Base Camp. We have been visiting the mountain for more than 15 years with groups and we have always given importance to gradual acclimatization and the realization of a high camp, so that everyone has the best and greatest chances of achieving the objective. In this way, our expedition to Domuyo lasts a week, to enjoy the wonderful surroundings and to give each body the option to prepare and acclimatize properly.
Section in blue: by vehicle; in red: the walking route.
This trek can be combined with ascent to the Lanin Volcano (see previous or later dates on our calendar)
Recommendation: sleep in the town of Zapala the night before.
Day 1: Meeting in the town of Zapala, Neuquén, at 9 am approx. From this city we will travel by charter vehicle (mini bus) to the north. We will pass through Chos Malal, Andacollo, Las Ovejas, Varvarco. In the last section the route has a singular beauty with curves, ascents and descents, while gradually the gigantic Cordillera del Viento is sighted, where we can see Domuyo Volcano, 4709 meters above sea level, the highest point in Patagonia and our goal on this expedition. Arrival at the "playón" and start of the very short walk, 30 minutes, until we reach our first camp.
Day 2: In the morning, we will enter the great valley that is to the south of the great volcano. Its mysterious and majestic silhouette invites us and calls us. Lunch on the way. We will pass by numerous high altitude lagoons that have a high content of minerals such as sulfur and iron. In one of them, of deep emerald color, we will set up our camp 1, almost at 3000 m.a.s.l. From here, the view is truly amazing: hanging glaciers, volcanic terrain, abysmal slopes, eternal snow. Overnight.
Day 3: Increasing the acclimatization necessary to carry out activities at higher altitudes, we will have, if the weather allows it, a brief practice with pickaxes and crampons to prepare for the day of ascent in the morning. In the afternoon we will try to set up a higher camp at 3400 or 3700 masl, depending on conditions. The rise is felt and we will be closer to our goal. Here we will set up our new camp trying to cover ourselves in the best possible way from the inclement wind. Overnight.
Day 4: Summit attempt. We go up the well-defined southern spur and access a large platform with unimaginable views of glaciers and valleys. From that place it is possible that we wil have to use crampons and a pickaxe and that is where the real ascent begins. Step by step and breathing properly we will ascend the ridge that will deposit us in the pre-summit and, later, the long-awaited summit of 4709 m.a.s.l. A sea of ??mountains and landscape dreams rises below and in the distance. Photos and celebrations, and return to our high altitude camp.
Day 5: Descent to the camp before the Playón. Last camp on the mountain. Option to walk to the hot springs and spend the night there.
Day 6: Final 20 minute walk to the "Playón", place where our vehicle will pick us up. Transfer to Aguas Calientes to meet and enjoy the unique and unmissable natural hot springs in the area. Lunch. Then, transfer back to Zapala, where we will arrive in the afternoon-evening. End of our services.
For those who continue with the ascent to Lanin, then the transfer will leave them in San Martin de los Andes.
