Cerro Tronador - ascent to summit - Pico Argentino - PN Nahuel Huapi - Bariloche - Patagonia

An expedition to ascend one of the classic hills of Patagonia

  • Start Date : 2025-Dec-08
    End Date: 2025-Dec-10
  • Hora Inicio: 7 am
    Hora Fin: 6 pm
  • Meeting Point:San Carlos de Bariloche
    End point: San Carlos de Bariloche
  • Duration:4 days + trip
    Availability: 6 spots
US$ 1800 US$ 1435.- 20 % Off

Special price booking until 08 de January!

Ascent Cerro Tronador - Argentino Peak (3180 masl)

Proposal

The ever white mountain

El Tronador is an old volcano (it is said that it had its last eruption thousands of years ago) that gives the most striking color to the surrounding geography of San Carlos de Bariloche. As an icon that stands out at more than 3000 meters above sea level, the hill has 6 glaciers (4 on the Argentine side, 2 on the Chilean side) that give a spectacular setting to the region. Through this terrain, made of rock, snow and glaciers, you travel and ascend to the different peaks. In this expedition, the objective is to try to reach the Pico Argentino, one of the closest to Otto Melling refuge.

Itinerary

Suggestion: spend the night before in Bariloche, with equipment check by the guides.

Day 1: Transfer 7 am from San Carlos de Bariloche to Pampa Linda, about 2.30 hours of travel. Entrance to the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Equipment preparation and trekking to the Otto Meling refuge. Important 5/6 hour climb with weight. Camp next to the refuge. (option to spend the night in the refuge, check rates)

Hours of activity: 6

Day 2: Rest and practice of glacier rope techniques and ice climbing. , about 2.30 hours of travel. Entrance to the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Preparation of equipment and trekking to the Otto Meling refuge. Important 5/6 hour climb with weight.

Hours of activity: 4 to 6

Day 3: Day of attempted summit of the Pico Argentino. Between 12 and 14 hours of round trip activity. Ascent by glacier and climbing on a 50 ° slope. Return to the shelter and new camp.

Hours of activity: 12 to 14

Day 4: This day, instead of descending the path that we have climbed, we will make the journey that connects this refuge with the Agostino Rocca, in Paso de las Nubes, and that crosses the Alerce Glacier. Beautiful route, also with glacier rope techniques. Arrival at the Rocca refuge and spend the night in it, with bunk beds and bath-shower.

Activity hours: 8

Day 5: We will now descend along the path that comes from Pampa Linda, where we will go to finish the circular route. First part through forest, then steep descent through snails and finally we skirted the Rio Alerce until its confluence with the Castaño Overo, the same bridge that we crossed when climbing to the Meilling refuge; End at Pampa Linda and our program. Transfer back to Bariloche.

Hours of activity: 6

Note

Intense expedition; good physical condition is required.

Included Services
  • Certified High Mountain Guide
  • Helper guides
  • Transfer from San Carlos de Bariloche.
  • Horses carriage to the vicinity of the Meilling refuge
  • All daily meals (Breakfasts, cold meats, dinners, snacks, snacks, etc.)
  • Personal Accident Insurance
  • VHF communications equipment.
  • General climbing equipment: ropes, bolts, stakes
  • Kitchen equipment (heater, plate, jug, cutlery, pots, etc.)
  • 4 nights in mountain refuge
  • Pre-trip advice through photos, maps, meetings in Buenos Aires. (They are not essential).
  • Assisted training during the entire time prior to the trip.

Services NOT included
  • Tickets to San Carlos de Bariloche
  • Overnight and expenses in the city
  • Crampons, ice ax, helmet, harness.
  • Personal equipment.
  • Expenses caused by quitting the program.

Photo and Video Gallery


Albums

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 it a difficult ascent?

The technical difficulty goes through slopes of 50/55 degrees on the final steps of the Pico Argentino summit and also in the glacial transit,  rope up  and using ice axes and crampons. A small workshop of these techniques is also made in the mountains on the day before the summit attempt.

 

Do I need to be trained?

In this expedition it is important to have adequate physical training to withstand between 12 and 15 hours of intense activity.

 

Do I need to have previous experience?

It is important to have some previous experience in different trekkings and camping in the mountains. The summit day is intense.

 

Where do we spend the night?

The overnight is made in large tents, military shelter or mountain tents.  For the nights in San Martin de los Andes we can advise you where to stop

 

Do I have to bring a tent?

The tents are included in the service.

 

What is the climate or temperature?

Although the time of year is summer / spring, in mountainous and / or rugged areas, temperatures tend to drop at night and at dawn (second day).

 

Are rest stops made?

Stops are given with a frequency and graduation according to intensity.

 

From what age can someone do this activity?

From 13 years of age.

 

How much does the backpack weigh?

Approximately between 14 and 18 kilos kilos.

 

Is there a carrying/porter service?

No. Each one must ascend with the weight they carry in their backpacks, personal equipment. You can hire porting although you must consult and reserve in advance.

 

What do we eat?

In all our expeditions we offer the food service IN FULL BOARD PLAN.

Marching lunches (cold meals): Milanesa and tomato sandwiches, cold cuts, snacks, salads, tapas, etc.

Dinners: Vegetable-bacon-red chorizo ??stews, Chicken and vegetable casseroles, Pasta with various sauces or stew, Roast meat (Chivito), Chaw Fan, Chicken with rice in the saucepan ....

Breakfasts and snacks: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, , Mate, Milk powder; bread, cookies, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereals, fruit.

It is necessary to complete the personal / medical file to clarify if someone does not eat any type of food.

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

Physical (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.

Gradual Adventure Activity Difficulty System designed by Leandro Scheurle.
Copyright Argentinaxtrema.com © 2009. All rights reserved.

Required equipment

General Equipment
  • Trekking special backpack (60 to 80 liters)
  • Warm sleeping bag (–15 degrees comfort, eg 800 / 1000gms. Of down-duvet or good synthetic).
  • Insulating mat (10 to 15mm).
  • Inflatable insulating mat (optional)
  • Trekking poles

 

FEET
  • 1 Mountain boots for hills of 4000 meters (not necessarily double). Waterproof
  • 1 extra light trekking shoe or outdoor shoe.

 

FIRST LAYER (First skin)
  • changes of underwear.
  • Cotton T-shirts (to be in the camp and to sleep)
  • T-shirts and / or synthetic short-sleeved shirts
  • Long-sleeved synthetic T-shirt
  • Polypropylene pants or footwear or similar (not cotton). To wear as a warm inner trousers
  • Thin polypropylene or similar gloves (not cotton)
  • pairs of thin socks made of polypropylene or similar (not cotton), in contact with the skin.
  • Buff type multifunction scarf

 

SECOND LAYER (warm)
  • Trekking medium pairs (synthetic-thermal) socks
  • thick mountain socks
  • Some cotton or wool socks (wool is good for sleeping)
  • 1 long trekking pants
  • 2 coats (fleece, softshell or similar)
  • Down jacket-duvet
  • Warm hat (fleece)

 

THIRD LAYER (windproof and waterproof)
  • Waterproof jacket (ultrex or gore tex or similar)
  • Trouser covers (gore tex or similar or ski type)
  • Third layer gloves or mittens (waterproof and breathable). They can be ski type
  • Mountain leggings

 

TECHNICAL TEAM - INCLUDED BY AEX
  • Crampons
  • Pickaxe
  • Climbing-mountain helmet
  • harness + self-secure strap + three carabiners + two cords

 

PERSONAL ELEMENTS
  • Passport,
  • Medical insurance
  • Travellers Assitence Insurance

 

VARIOUS
  • FRONT flashlight with batteries (with spare batteries).
  • Strong plastic bags for storing clothes.

 

HEALTH & HYGIENE
  • Sunglasses with UV protection Category 4
  • Personal first-aid kit (medication with the pertinent prescription).
  • High sunscreen, Lip balm
  • Soap, shampoo (small to share) and small towel.
  • Others.
  • Toilet paper. Handkerchiefs Baby wipes.
  • Shorts-mesh (thermal)
  • Sun hat

Rental Equipment

Trekking sleeping bag

Booking in Advance

US$ 16 + options

Pair of Trekking Poles

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

Rental mittens

Booking in Advance

US$ 8 + options

Pair of Crampons

Booking in Advance

US$ 15 + options

Rental : helmet, crampons and ice ax

Booking in Advance

US$ 36 + options

Combo Top: helmet, crampons, ice ax and full harness

Booking in Advance

US$ 50 + options

Category 3 sunglasses - Shepra Julbo Spectrom

Booking in Advance

US$ 5 + options

Backpack for trekking and mountaineering - Woman

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

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Contact and Enquiries

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