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Climbing in Chile: Viña del Mar or Pumalín Park near Reñihué?

Original Post
AudsClimb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 0

I am going to be moving to Chile this October for an extended period of time to learn Spanish and do some conservation work. I will be staying in Viña del Mar for the first few months then we will head down to the Reñihué farm in the Pumalín nature park. I am very excited to climb in these beautiful areas, but I'm having a hard time finding any beta.

There is plenty of information available on Cochamó, but Reñihué is at least a day trip away from there. We won't be able to get many days off to travel this far.

Does anyone have personal experience in these areas? Have you come across a promising guidebook or website? (Spanish is okay)

Thanks for your help!

Alex Banas · · CO · Joined May 2010 · Points: 0

AudsClimb--Ill be around Chile around that time and would be looking for a climbing partner. Let me know

Alec Gordon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

I am going to be living in viña del mar during that time as well. Please let me know if you want to climb together.

Michael L · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 498

I may also be living near Vina del mar in August/Sept and looking to climb.

Alex Banas · · CO · Joined May 2010 · Points: 0

Whats the climbing like near there?

Jordi Alti · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

I,ll be on center/north Chile areas looking for partner in November
I suggest Cochamó but no mather about the site to rock climbing
Will be there anyone to join?

Mara · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 240

I'll be in Chile October 6-11 and I'd love to do some climbing if I can get a partner!

gick09 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 20

I am currently traveling in Peru and will be headed to Chile in the next few weeks. Would love to trek and climb if anybody needs a partner.

MPT Thomas · · Cambridge, MA · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 5

The closest climbing to Viña del Mar will be Roca Oceanica. It's probably only 15 minutes north of Viña. It isn't great, but it is a spectacular location overlooking the ocean. There is some very short trad or top ropes, and a few boulder problems. The next best thing in the area will be Las Chilcas. It is conglomerate with probably around 100 to 200 climbs. It is really good sport climbing. Probably about 1.5 hours from Viña. If you head into Santiago, check out El Arrayán for sport climbing.

If you can make a 3 to 4 hour drive, you can get up to Cajon del Maipo. El Manzano and La Mina are the best places up there. La Mina is crazy overhanging limestone in the mountains, while el manzano is easy, short sport by the road or long runout sport up on the spires. I would avoid the trad up there because the rock can be really loose. People die every year.

At 6.5 hours, you can get up to Valle de Los Condores. There is some world class bolted basalt and single pitch trad up there. But it is a high mountain valley with all the logistical challenges associated with that.

I can't help you out down south. Cochamo is the only place I know down there.

AudsClimb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 0
MPT wrote:The closest climbing to Viña del Mar will be Roca Oceanica. It's probably only 15 minutes north of Viña. It isn't great, but it is a spectacular location overlooking the ocean. There is some very short trad or top ropes, and a few boulder problems. The next best thing in the area will be Las Chilcas. It is conglomerate with probably around 100 to 200 climbs. It is really good sport climbing. Probably about 1.5 hours from Viña. If you head into Santiago, check out El Arrayán for sport climbing. If you can make a 3 to 4 hour drive, you can get up to Cajon del Maipo. El Manzano and La Mina are the best places up there. La Mina is crazy overhanging limestone in the mountains, while el manzano is easy, short sport by the road or long runout sport up on the spires. I would avoid the trad up there because the rock can be really loose. People die every year. At 6.5 hours, you can get up to Valle de Los Condores. There is some world class bolted basalt and single pitch trad up there. But it is a high mountain valley with all the logistical challenges associated with that. I can't help you out down south. Cochamo is the only place I know down there.
Thank you for the info!
I've found a few people who have climbed down south where I will be, and they say it's crumbly volcanic choss. I may not be getting much in down there, but your help with areas near Viña del Mar is greatly appreciated!
Sirius · · Oakland, CA · Joined Nov 2003 · Points: 660

If you like trad, there are some good lines up at a place called Valle de la Engorda in Cajón del Maipo, outside of Santiago. You'll want to ask about beta for this place before you go - some crag-specific ethics. You can find beta at the climbing gym in Santiago, or at the Club de Andinismo downtown?

The problem around Pumalín is how wet and how vegetated it is. Even Cochamó, with its spectacular granite, has these challenges.

If you are able to find the time during your stay, crossing into Argentina would not leave you disappointed. Even four or five days would be enough to get to Frey.

If you speak/read Spanish, this forum will be an incredible resource:

foros.tricuspide.com/index.…;action=display;threadid=11698

Good luck, and have fun! The Pumalín area is unreal. Even if the climbing element ends up being a bust for you, you are looking at an amazing trip.

Matt DiTullio · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 5

AudsClimb, Alex Banas, and Alec Gordon,

I will be in that area in the middle of October! Anyone still looking for a partner?

Please email me at mattdit@umich.edu!

Thanks,
Matt

Werefrog · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 0

Hi all, if anyone is still following this I am looking for a climbing partner also in Chile the week of Oct 26th. If anyone is still looking for someone to climb with send me a PM.

gick09 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 20

Im climbing near Pucon this week and will be heading towards Cochamo, Bariloche and the like for the next month. Let me know if anyone is in the south.

sam1358 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2015 · Points: 0

Chile is a great country to live for USA resident. The country has all the good things :
usgshipping.com/index.php/s…

Best place in the world.

Mike Sullivan · · Durango, CO · Joined Sep 2004 · Points: 60

Hi Auds and others,

I'm finishing up a month of work in Chile and will be free and looking to climb between Dec 14 and about Jan 12. I'm open to going to various areas but am hoping to visit some of the places I haven't been to yet, such as Cajón del Maipo and Valle de los Cóndores. I can give you some beta on Cochamó or Pucón, or San Pedro if you plan on heading up north.

I lead up to 5.10 sport or trad, can follow up to 5.11, prefer trad routes when possible. I´ve got a rack, single rope and camping gear, and 30 days to get a bunch of climbing in!

Cheers,

Mike

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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