The team have finally got some luck with the weather and have successfully reached their first scheduled overnight camp at a small refuge in the forest at Piedra del Fraile. This will be their last night of civilization. Local forecasts show good weather for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for the traverse across from the Paso [...]
Read More expedition, glacier, paso marconi, patagonia, tracking
Due to high winds, rain and general bad weather the team have decided to wait until they get a better weather window before making their way to the Piedra del Fraille refuge. Hopefully by Saturday it will have cleared off and we can try again. Watch this space…
Read More expedition, patagonia, piedra del fraille, refuge, Weather
Our expedition to the Southern Patagonian Icecap starts tomorrow when we all start travelling down to El Chalten in Patagonia. Will it be a glorious adventure or a bitter struggle against the elements. Its in the lap of the gods! Yes the time has come around all too quick. Tomorrow, two South Africans, a New [...]
Read More adventure, Chalten, expedition, Icecap, Patagonian, southern patagonia
Sometimes a basic snow wall is not sufficient to keep the elements at bay. The wind can drop spindrift on the leeward side thus burying the tents. Is there a solution in the way we can construct snow walls that would make them more efficient? I asked this question on the Worldwide Expedition professional group [...]
Read More construction, expedition, patagonia, snow wall, spindrift, tents
Just how do you work out how many gas canisters you should take for a weeks high level trekking? After many mistakes over the years I think I’ve finally got it cracked! The last straw was on the Patagonian Icecap last November. Weight was critical and I severely overestimated our intended usage of gas for [...]
Read More camp cooking, cold gas, cook meals, Cooking, expedition, gas canister, gas usage, los tres miles, Patagonian, Stove, test, trangia
We have been fans of the Spot Messenger for many years. Now we eagerly look forward to the arrival of a new champion, a 2 way Satellite Communicator due for release in October, the Delorme inReach. We review the initial specifications. The Delorme inReach delves into somewhat uncharted territory. It is not a Sat Phone. [...]
Read More android, App, Communicator, Delormes, expedition, Globalstar, GPS, inReach, Iridium, Messenger, Navigator, Satellite, smartphone, smartphones, spot messenger
A report from Kiersten Rowland about her harrowing experiences on the Patagonian Icecap in November 2010. Not exactly a sparkling advertisement for joining us back there in 2012! Two taxis arrive to take us to the trailhead at Rio Electrico. From the trailhead we walk a few hours through a forest to our camp at [...]
Read More cerro torre, Chalten, expedition, expedition food, Fitzroy, hotel confin patagonico, Mountaineering, patagonia
A summary of the Spanish Highs Patagonian Icecap Expedition 2010 which has just returned from Argentina. We must have upset the weather gods. Unlike previous trips, this time Patagonia threw everything it had as us weather wise. Like other Argentine groups we sat for 3 or more days at La Playita campsite waiting for our [...]
Read More Argentina, Chalten, expedition, Fitzroy, Icecap, mountaineer, patagonia, Patagonian
The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of only three Patagonian glaciers that is growing. It is 5 kilometres wide with a total ice depth of 170 metres… A large visitor centre can be found here which features a walking circuit which allows you to both faces, and the surface of the glacier to be seen. The Team [...]
Read More expedition, glaciers, patagonia, perito moreno glacier