Backpacking in the Patagonian Andes - Sat, Nov 8 2008, Sun, Nov 9 2008, Mon, Nov 10 2008, Tue, Nov 11 2008, Wed, Nov 12 2008, Thu, Nov 13 2008, Fri, Nov 14 2008, Sat, Nov 15 2008, Sun, Nov 16 2008

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed by the trip leader(s) and NOT the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for payment details and instructions.



Backpacking in the Patagonian Andes


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Nov 8 2008, Sun, Nov 9 2008, Mon, Nov 10 2008, Tue, Nov 11 2008, Wed, Nov 12 2008, Thu, Nov 13 2008, Fri, Nov 14 2008, Sat, Nov 15 2008, Sun, Nov 16 2008  6:00 pm >> N/A
Registration Opens: Fri, Feb 22 2008 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Sep 30 2008 11:55 pm
Event Duration:8 days
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Richard A. Zalik
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Member Cost:$1,100.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:25
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 9 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
11/8 Departure from Atlanta.
11/9 Arrive at Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires. Take shuttle bus to Aeroparque, where our domestic flight to San Carlos de Bariloche departs. Arrive in Bariloche in the afternoon. Lodging in three star hotel. Meet with our guides before dinner.
11/10 Early in the morning drive to Refugio Neumeyer (4335 ft), which is in the middle of a beautiful forest, and from there attempt to reach the summit of Cerro Challhuaco (6950ft). This is not a technical climb. Whether we reach the summit will depend on weather conditions. We will have lunch on the way up the mountain. We will travel to Refugio Neumeyer in all terrain vehicles. Because of the season (late spring in the Southern hemisphere) and the altitude, there will be snow on the ground. We will therefore be wearing snowshoes. After (hopefully) reaching the summit we will return to Refugio Neumeyer, warm up, have a snack, and return to Bariloche.
11/11 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 (5820 ft), where we will have dinner and spend the night. Walking time: about six hours. From Refugio Neumeyer onwards we will be wearing either snowshoes or crampons, depending on the type of snow we encounter.
11/12 After breakfast we will ascend to the so called "soccer field" (6,360 ft.), which is a flat area at the top of a ridge. After admiring the view from the top we will descend to the Rucaco Valley (4,730 ft), where we will have lunch. After crossing the valley and fording Arroyo Rucaco we will ascend to Cerro Brecha Negra's ridge at 6,850 ft. From there we will descend to Refugio Jakob (5,320 ft), which is on the shore of the lagoon by the same name. Here we will have dinner and spend the night.
11/13 This day we will spend exploring the neighborhood: we can go to Laguna Los Tempanos(5,820 ft), where we can admire a 2,000 ft tall ice wall and icebergs floating on the lagoon, Schweitzer pass (5,650 ft), or try to reach the summit of Cerro Cella (7,000 ft). We return to Refugio Jakob, where we will have dinner and spend the night.
11/14 After breakfast we will follow Arroyo Casa de Piedra 11 miles downstream to a road where vans will be waiting to take us back to Bariloche.
11/15 Return to Buenos Aires in the morning. Fly to Atlanta in the evening.
11/16 Arrive in Atlanta.
NOTES:
This itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions.
The refugios are fully staffed cabins with bunk beds and hard mattresses. If you prefer to prepare your own food, you can bring your supplies from Bariloche and use the shelter's wood burning stove for a small fee.

Required Items to Bring:
Clothing: Long johns - 2 pairs of trousers - 2 pairs of woolen socks and 2 pairs of sock liners - 3 sets of underwear - Hiking boots (waterproof) - sandals or booties for indoors - 3 t-shirts - 2 sweaters - Waterproof parka - Waterproof pant covers - gaiters - 1 pair of woolen gloves or mittens - 1 pair of waterproof gloves or 1 pair of waterproof glove covers - balaclava - Sun hat - Sleeping bag (rated 20 to 32 degrees F) - Sunglasses - Woolen hat

Toiletries: Toilet paper and paper tissues - Toothpaste and toothbrush - Deodorant - glycerine soap or detergent - Lip balm

Equipment:: Backpack (minimum size: 50 liters). - Backpack cover or two large trash bags - Water bottle - Head lamp and batteries - Sunglasses (important!) - Thermos - Trekking poles

Miscellaneous: Camera - Plastic bags for clothing and garbage - Personal First-aid kit - Sunblock (at least SPF 30) - Penknife - Pencil and paper - Lighter (can be purchased in Bariloche) 		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Notes:
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 a three star hotel in Bariloche for the nights of November 9, 10 and 14, at around $50 a night. Continental breakfast is included. Price is for double occupancy and is based on current rates. Small fluctuations might occur.
Beverages.
Meals in transit to Bariloche.
Meals in Bariloche, except for breakfast in the hotel (i.e. dinner on 11/9, 11/10 and 11/14).
Airport taxes on departure ($18.00). May be paid by credit card, pesos, US dollars or Euros.

Payment Schedule:
1. A deposit of $200.00 by cash or check, must be received by the organizer by August 10. Half of this amount will be applied towards your hotel reservation. If you are staying extra nights in Buenos Aires or Bariloche, please add the amounts inducated below, AFTER THAT DATE AND UNTIL THE CUTOFF DATE ADD 25% PROCESSING FEE TO THE DEPOSIT. Please make the check out to Richard Zalik and mail your payment to Richard Zalik, P.O.Box 29732, Atlanta, GA 30359.
2. You will pay for your lodging (less your deposit) at check in. Credit cards may be used.
3. You will pay for your trip (less your deposit) in Bariloche. Credit cards may be used, but if you pay cash you get a $165.00 discount.

Registration Requirements.
To participate in this event :
1. The organizer must receive your deposit by the cut off date.
2. You must participate in an overnight backpacking trip with the AOC rated D4 or above. If you have not satisfied this requirement yet, you must do so by October 5, 2008.

You may want to arrive in Buenos Aires a couple of days early and spend some time exploring this beautiful and sophisticated city. The organizer can arrange for lodging in a two star hotel in a nice section of town for about $40 a night per person for double occupancy and $80 a night per person for single occupancy.
After we finish our trip you may want to stay a few extra days in Bariloche. The oufitter, Patagonia Outdoors, offers a range of activities, such as trips on horseback, rafting, driving through the steppe, mountain climbing, or just plain sightseeing. If you are interested in any of these activities contact the organizer. If you are staying extra nights in Bariloche or Buenos Aires increase your deposit by $25.00 a day for double occupancy and $50.00 a day for single occupancy.
US passport holders do not need a visa to enter Argentina.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$1,100.00/Person
Non-Member Cost:$1,100.00/Person
Cost Includes:All transportation in Bariloche in either vans or all terrain vehicles, according to need.
Lodging in the shelters.
All meals and snacks while on the trail and in the shelters.
Licensed guide and assistants at a ratio of one assistant for every six participants.
Snowshoes, crampons and ice axe. Gaiters and trekking poles are also available, at no extra cost.
Insurance (this is a requirement of the park authorities).

Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the AOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.