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Sport Climbing in Patagonia?

Original Post
Sam C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 20

I'm planning to do a hiking trip to Torres Del Paine (Chile), as well as Fitz Roy near El Chalten. We're trying to decide on the number of days to spend there and I'm trying to find out if there are any sport areas to climb there? We're very limited on how much we can pack, so if we can get by with minimal gear, so sport climbs would be perfect.

I've tried searching for climbing areas, but I find mostly alpine climbing, which isn't what I want to do. Finding a place like Rumney or Red Rocks would be amazing.

Suggestions, please?

Micahisaac · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 80

There is a very basic print out guidebook which I believe is available from El Chalten Mountain Guides. You can just go into their shop and buy it. I don't know of any online info. Most of the routes around town are pretty choosy. Bring your sport climbing helmet.

Daniel Winder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 101

Well, Compressor's gone, so I guess that's out. Good luck!

krispyyo · · Duluth, MN · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 65

If you're willing to head north to Bariloche, I've heard that Valle Encantado is an epic sport destination. You can find beta at stonedance.com

Sam C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 20

Thanks for the suggestions, I was looking into Bariloche region, but it's a 1-2 day bus to El Chalten afterwards.

Vaughn · · Colorado · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 55

El Chalten has some good sport climbing. You can buy a guidebook at one of the local shops.

Dan Flynn · · Northeast mostly · Joined May 2009 · Points: 5,065

North of you (maybe 16 hrs bus), but check out Piedra Parada. Looks awesome; I'm hoping to get there this winter.

Petzl roctrip piedra parada

http://vimeo.com/71722486

Scott Bennett · · Western North America · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 1,265

There is decent sport climbing in El Chalten. In town itself there are handful of areas (a bit chossy), and a few kilometers down the road there's a couple better crags.

That said, you're not going to find anything like Rumney or Red Rock in quantity or quality. I'd consider the cragging to be a nice rest day diversion from the alpine, not a world-class destination.

The bouldering around Chalten is quite good and well developed, with big granite blocs in an idyllic setting. If you decide you don't wanna carry a rope and 'draws, maybe still bring shoes and chalkbag.

The boulders are easy walking distance from town, and there are tons of locals, plus a little guidebook, to help you find your way. You can see a couple photos of the bouldering here.
and a (bad) shot of the sport climbing here.

I haven't been, but Piedra Parada looks like it might offer a more rewarding sport climbing destination.

Enjoy your trip!
Scott

Sam C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 20

We're considering Valle Encantado and El Chalten now. El Chalten we're planning to hike Fitz Roy. And since we're planning a stop in Bariloche anyways, as well as the temps being warmer there, how difficult is it to travel to Valle Encantado to sport climb? Bus? I'm not sure if we're going to be renting a car yet since we're trying to keep the budget in check.

The only thing we really don't want to bring is rope. Do the gear shops around that area rent rope? Plus I don't want to carry the rope with me while I'm doing multi-day hikes since space will also be very limited.

Piedra Parada looks amazing, but I think it's too far out of the way for us. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Cor · · Sandbagging since 1989 · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,445

You can't rent a rope (probably anywhere...)
The gear shop beside the bakery in El Chalten has ropes for sale.
The guy and girl who run the shop are very nice, and speak good English if you need.

Perhaps you can leave it at the gear shop you buy it at while you do your hike.
Or if you are having a guide service do the hike with you, leave it with them.

David Albert is a great guy (guide) if you are looking for that service,
I have his email. He is a friend.

Hope that helps some.

C

PS: Hiking around the FitzRoy massif will blow yer mind.

Sam C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 20

Yea, the main goal was to hike Fitz Roy and trek the W in Torres Del Paine.

Is David Albert a guide for Chalten or for Valle Encantado? Seems like Chalten, but just wanted to clarify.

Really would love to do some sport climbing while I'm there as well, but as I'm reading up on Valle Encantado, it seems you need a raft/canoe to cross a river to get to the climbing area. It's also 65km northeast of Bariloche and we would need to figure out transportation to and from there. I also read somewhere that it's private land?? Still have a lot of research to do......

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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