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Patagonia Hut to Hut Backcountry Tour

karlo

Out on the slopes
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Joined
May 11, 2017
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2,708
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NJ
I have signed up for a hut to hut tour in the backcountry of Cerro Catedral, at Bariloche, Argentina, 08-15 September and would welcome the company of a like-minded skier. I originally found it by contacting the local guide service that I used for a day two summers ago. Info on the tour is found here,

https://www.andescross.com/trips/backcountry-ski-touring-hut-to-hut-traverse-in-patagonia/#tab-id-2

After discussions with Jorge, the owner, and deciding to sign up, I discovered that his tour is being run through Powderquest, and that is where one books,

https://powderquest.com/trips/patagonia-hut-to-hut/

So, what do I mean by like-minded? Lots of great skiing of course. I consider great skiing to be on any conditions, powder, crust, or ice, which Jorge says can all be encountered. Steep, as in 30-40 degree, or shallow, I love it all. I will not be deterred except by elements, like driving rain, or impossible visibility. But, most of all, for me, this is an educational opportunity. Route planning and selection, condition assessment, use of ski crampons (never used them before). Just learned to use boot crampons and ice axe last season and would welcome an opportunity to put that to use. Avy hazard is unlikely to be high, but sure would be nice to have a buddy with training and experience to discuss the issue with. I have a Canadian AST-2.

I'm a skier, but technical. So, I don't straight line and bomb downhill. I love every turn I can get. I'm slow going up. I can do it, just slow. I'm conservative. For example, this past winter, given the choice of jumping (maybe 4 feet) into, then crossing, a gulley, and of a 45-minute (30-minutes for the guide) climb back up a steep slope to cross without a jump, I chose the climb. Not that I couldn't jump it. Just that, if injured, though unlikely, the options were pretty, let's say, limited.

I am not lingering in-resort nor in-country, before or after. I fly into Argentina 08SEP and fly out 15SEP. FYI, the Chile tour in this Forum section is what got me thinking. I would have done that, except for schedule.

Jorge tells me 2 are signed already, a couple. Me, I'm the third. He says he thinks he's got 2 more; I'm thinking maybe, maybe not. And, he emails me,

Requirements:
- last day we hike out 16 km with skis in our back to exit from the mountains if weather is bad (I found out that this is through a forest, in sneakers or hiking shoes, little elevation gain)
- elevation gain per day around 800-1000 meters (800 without optional laps)
- ski any aspect any conditions 30 degrees with 20 pounds pack
- ski crust, ice, powder.

Here's a short CV for Jorge,

https://www.explore-share.com/mountain-guide/jorge-kozulj/

and

https://www.andescross.com/what-is-uiagm-mountain-guides/
 

jmeb

Enjoys skiing.
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Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Posts
4,489
Location
Colorado
Man -- this looks awesome. If I wasn't currently stashing pennies to do the Urner Haute Route next spring I'd be all over this.

Excited for the Trip Report.
 

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