Chile.

I bought a one way ticket to Santiago in January.

Have a ESOL/TEFL cert., speak spanish fluently, and want to climb in Cochamó for a good chunk of time.

Looking for recommendations, pertinent advice, climbing partners, good places to stay/rent, ideas of job opportunities, friends I can borrow, etc.

basically trawling the universe for information here.

Thanks.

Evan Belknap wrote:I bought a one way ticket to Santiago in January. Have a ESOL/TEFL cert., speak spanish fluently, and want to climb in Cochamó for a good chunk of time. Looking for recommendations, pertinent advice, climbing partners, good places to stay/rent, ideas of job opportunities, friends I can borrow, etc. basically trawling the universe for information here. Thanks.

How long are you going to be there? What's your skill level / experience?

I have some connections in Santiago. They may or may not be able to get with you. Chile's the bomb, too. Awesome place. Never made it Cochamo, but I was close. When you're there, if you have time, don't forget to hit Bariloche and Frey just over the border. You won't regret it.

Oh yeah, pack rain gear. It rains a lot in Cochamo / that region.

Lots of experience in the mountains. Solid 11 trad climber on lead—some big walling. Not a ton. But have been climbing obsessively for 5 years or so. Finally getting strong.

I think I'll be there for a year or so.

I'm heading to quito in the middle of Jan. I would be excited to join you for some climbing in Feb. Pm me and we can talk

Evan Belknap wrote:Lots of experience in the mountains. Solid 11 trad climber on lead—some big walling. Not a ton. But have been climbing obsessively for 5 years or so. Finally getting strong. I think I'll be there for a year or so.

PM me your info and I'll see what I can do.

Anybody know what the climbing scene is like in Cochamo? If I were to find myself there in feb without a partner.... Are there people hanging out looking for partners? People to climb with?

pete cutler wrote:Anybody know what the climbing scene is like in Cochamo? If I were to find myself there in feb without a partner.... Are there people hanging out looking for partners? People to climb with?

From what I understand it's hit or miss. There's a decent scene there these days and that's the time of year to be there (though the chances of getting hit with rain is pretty high during those months - March is supposedly the driest month).

Make some friends in Puerto Varas first to find out who's there and who's going to be there if you're not sure.

Hey, Pete. When are you planning on being there? I'm flying to Chile in January, looking for partners to go to Cochamo with.

Hey Evan, I'm flying into Santiago at the end of December and planning on heading down to Cochamo a day or two after new years. Plan on being there most of January, and probably with a party of three. Maybe we can meet up at the refugio around that time?

Check out Frey.

If you make your way up to Ecuador, I'd be happy to give you some recommendations and meet up if possible. There is excellent sport climbing, some trad, and lots of great mountaineering in Ecuador, particularly around Cuenca, which is also a nice city to visit.

I also second the recommendation to visit Bariloche, as well as the Cordillera Blanca in Peru.

I officially have a plane ticket—January 9! And SIM, I'll try my damnedest to get down to Cochamo in January.

Frey looks amazing.

Sanz: maybe I'll make it to ecuador. If I do, you'll be the first to know.

AWESOME!