Nahuel Huapi Traverse

The date and time registration opens and closes are the same. This has been done on purpose so that you cannot register for the event directly: you must place yourself on the waiting list first. You may place yourself on the waiting list at any time after 8 pm on August 31. See registration requirements under "Notes" below. If you jump the line and manage to register for the event I will move you back to the waiting list.

Day 1 (12/12) Departure from Atlanta in the afternoon or evening.

Day 2 (12/13). Arrive at Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires in the morning. (The airport code is EZE). Take shuttle bus to Aeroparque (AEP), where our domestic flight to San Carlos de Bariloche departs (there are a few direct flights from EZE to BRC and back). Arrive in Bariloche in the afternoon. Lodging and meals at our own expense. Meet with our guide.

Day 3 (12/14). In the morning drive to the foot of Cerro Catedral. We will start walking at a height of about 3,500ft. After a few miles we will stop for lunch and then follow Arroyo Van Titter upstream to Refugio Frei, where we will have dinner and spend the night. Walking time (including stops): about five hours. Walking distance: around 8 miles. Elevation change: 2,300 ft. The trail is relatively smooth, well maintained and heavily used. I last walked this trail in December of 2024 and it was well maintained. This hike is rated D5.

Day 4 (12/15). After breakfast we will ascend 1,000 ft to the so called "soccer field" , which is a flat area at the top of a ridge. After admiring the view from the top we will descend 1,300 ft to the Rucaco Valley, where we will have lunch. After crossing the valley and fording Arroyo Rucaco we will ascend 1,300 ft to Cerro Brecha Negra's ridge. From there we will descend 1,300 ft to Refugio Jakob, (also known as Refugio San Martin) which is on the shore of the lagoon by the same name. Here we will have dinner and spend the night. Walking distance: around 9 miles. When I walked this trail in December of 2024 there was snow on part of the trail. The snow was deep but soft and we did not need snowshoes. The trail is well marked but not heavily used. The descents are steep and walking poles are recommended. Part of the way down from Brecha Negra is through scree and then a boulder field, which may take time to negotiate. Because of the possibility of snow and the difficulty in negotiating the boulder field this hike is rated D6.

Day 5 (12/16). This day we will spend resting or exploring the neighborhood: we can go to Laguna Los Tempanos, where in winter there is a 2,000 ft tall ice wall and icebergs floating on the lagoon, Schweitzer pass, or try to reach the summit of Cerro Cella. We return to Refugio Jakob, where we will have dinner and spend the night. Walking distance between 0 and 6 miles. Rating: at most D2.

Day 6 (12/17). After breakfast we reach the most difficult part of our trek: we climb 1300 ft to a ridge that lies between Cerro Inocentes and Cerro Navidad; we may encounter some snow along the way. We then head  down through rocky terrain towards the source of Arroyo Navidad, which we follow until it meets the trail from Colonia Suiza to Laguna Negra, for a total descent of 1700 ft. Now things become easier. This is a trail that I hike often, the last time was in December of 2025. it is wide, smooth, and well maintained. In about two hours we reach Refugio Laguna Negra (also known as Refugio Manfredo Segre or Refugio Italia) after an ascent of around 700 ft. Distance: around 6 miles. Difficulty: D6.

Day 7 (12/18). After breakfast we hike on a trail along the eastern and northern shores of Laguna Negra and negotiate a short via ferrata. After a relatively short distance the trail splits: to the left it heads toward Cerro Negro (I did this part of the trail last December); we turn right and walk on the slopes of Cerro Bailey Willis, at an altitude of around 6,000 ft. As we get close to Refugio Lopez we will have to scramble up some scree. We stop at the Refugio for a meal and then we hike down about 90 minutes to a gravel road and take a van back to Bariloche, Total Ascent: 2600 ft. Walking distance: around 9 miles. Difficulty level: since we have to negotiate a Via Ferrata and a scree slope, and a significant part of the trail is at a relative high altitude, I rate this hike as a D6. Dinner and lodging in Bariloche at our own expense. 

Day 8 (12/19). After breakfast we take a van to Puerto Panuelo on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. We pay a small tax, payable in cash, and take a boat to Brazo Tristeza, which we will reach after about two hours.  We then hike 1 hour to Laguna Frei (this lagoon is in a different area of the park than Refugio Frei), walk back to the boat and return to Bariloche. Difficulty rating: D2. Lunch aboard. Dinner and lodging in Bariloche at our own expense.

Day 9 (12/20). In the morning fly to Buenos Aires. In the afternoon fly to Atlanta.

Day 10 (12/21). Arrive in Atlanta in the morning.

Comments:

The total ascent is around 10,000 ft.

This itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions, which may incluse strong winds.

The refugios are fully staffed cabins with bunk beds and hard mattresses. 

A more detailed description of this itinerary may be found in Lonely Planet's "Backpacking in the Patagonian Andes".

Cost does not include:

Airfare (Atlanta to Bariloche and return, changing planes in Buenos Aires).

Shuttle bus between airports in Buenos Aires (around $15.00 each way).Lodging in Bariloche.    

City lodging tax.

Beverages.

Lodging and meals in transit to Bariloche.

Lodging and meals in Bariloche

Payment Schedule:
1. A deposit of $200.00 by cash or check, must be received by the organizer by October 10. 
2. You will pay for your trip (less your deposit)  in cash, when you arrive in Bariloche.

Registration Requirements.
To participate in this event the organizer must receive your deposit by the cut off date.
US passport holders do not need a visa to enter Argentina.

US State Department Travel Advisory: Level 1, Exercise normal caution. For details go to         https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/argentina.html

All transportation to and from the trailheads.

Lodging in the shelters.

All meals and snacks while on the trail and in the refugios.

Licensed guide.

Any necessary technical equipment

Insurance (required by the park authorities).

A nonrefundable $25 AOC user fee.