Valle de Los Cóndores  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  6,000' Lat, Long:  -35.967, -70.5636 Map Page Views:  940. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  TYeary, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  cjdrover on Mar 4, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Sun, stone, and water. The crags on the other side...

Description 

Rock
Valle de Los Condores is a basalt climbing area outside the city of Talca, Chile. The area is single pitch up to about 25 meters. Information on routes is difficult to find - the area was apparently featured in the magazine Vertical but I haven´t found it yet. Number of climbs is unknown but my best guess is 100+, with at least 40-50 on the near side of the river, with both sport and traditional. Bolts are all high quality, but you might want to bring some extra quick links as some of the anchors were lacking lowering rap hardware.

Climate
Situated at an altitude of about 1800 meters in the arid mountains that divide Chile and Argentina, this area can provide dry rock when rain plagues the climbing area further south. Winter can have snow.

Scene and Camping
In my experience, close to deserted. I visited in late February and we had the entire place to ourselves. Camp where you please, but try to use established sites and be respectful of the desert environment - carry everything that you bring in out! Clean water is abundant in the Rio Maule.

No routes are listed here yet, but just go and enjoy. Grades seem to run 5.8-5.12. Try what looks good and bring a few extra bail biners...

Lastly, you can find some information here (Spanish):
www.escalando.cl/condores1.htm

Getting There 

First, get to Talca, Chile. This is a major city with many bus routes in and out. From Talca, take a bus from the terminal towards La Mina and ask to be let off at the last stop, which is at km 107 on Chilean Ruta-115. The climbing area is at km 133, so either hitchhike or start walking. There is a gravel/mining operation at km 132 - some, but not all, of the employees may be willing to give you a ride. Be aware that this route sees little other traffic, so be prepared to walk out or wait.

The Classics

Featured Route For Valle de Los Cóndores

Alcatraz P.1 5.10c  International : South America : ... : La Carcel

Climb the pillar...[more]   Browse More Classics in International

Photos of Valle de Los Cóndores Slideshow

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The main wall on the near side of the river.	Climber "Moreno" in 31 Metros de Chocolate (31 Met...	Climber "Nano" in "La Paila" 5.11a
Viejo Continente Zone	Escuela Zone	Volatil Zone, North Wall.
Volatil Zone, South Wall.	Bajo Presión Zone	Las Bandurrias Zone.
Los 40 Especialistas Zone	La Cocina Zone, South Wall.	La Cocina Zone, North Wall.
Los Huasamacos del Sur Zone, First Wall.	Los Huasamacos del Sur Zone, Second Wall.	Los Huasamacos del Sur Zone, Third Wall.
Los Huasamacos del Sur Zone, Fourth Wall.	mapa