Trip Report
A sweet place......
Monday December 19, 2016 5:31pm
To retreat to when the days shorten in Estados Unidos. I go back dowh on 12/31 and one day of jet travel will net me a seven hour gain in usable daylight.
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The kitchen in our Patagonian home
The kitchen in our Patagonian home
Credit: donini
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There seems to be something missing in that photo.
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My fishing mentor Stephan with the days catch
My fishing mentor Stephan with the days catch
Credit: donini
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Yep, every Patagonian kitchen needs a medium sized brown to complete it.
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Credit: donini
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Lago General Carrera is the centerpiece...the second largest and, I think, the most beautiful lake in South America.
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Angela enjoying the lake
Angela enjoying the lake
Credit: donini
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The area is characterized by marked micro climates. Temperate rainforest....
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Credit: donini
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And dry desert...
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Credit: donini
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Are all within an easy drive.
With such long days there is plenty of time to play....
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Pack rafting on Lago Leones
Pack rafting on Lago Leones
Credit: donini
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Tom Englebach on 5.11 thin hands on the FA of Avenali Avenue
Tom Englebach on 5.11 thin hands on the FA of Avenali Avenue
Credit: donini
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I will admit that the hiking can be trying...B
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Always use the right tools for the job
Always use the right tools for the job
Credit: donini
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Angela's last trip up this particular drainage
Angela's last trip up this particular drainage
Credit: donini
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Angela, Carla and Karjane just getting started
Angela, Carla and Karjane just getting started
Credit: donini
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The flora is quite exceptional....
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Avatar trees in Valle Exploradores
Avatar trees in Valle Exploradores
Credit: donini
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Credit: donini
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Credit: donini
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Credit: donini
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And the wild life is too....
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Magellanic Woodpecker
Magellanic Woodpecker
Credit: donini
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Austral Parakeets in our front yard
Austral Parakeets in our front yard
Credit: donini
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Andean Condor
Andean Condor
Credit: donini
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Guanacos high above Lago General Carrera
Guanacos high above Lago General Carrera
Credit: donini
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You can leave footprints where none have been left before...
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Angela checking out the view
Angela checking out the view
Credit: donini
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On Ventisquero Angela
On Ventisquero Angela
Credit: donini
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And climb virgin summits....if you can get to them...
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I know where it is
I know where it is
Credit: donini
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Or do major new routes on mountains that have been climbed a time or two....
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North Face of San Lorenzo
North Face of San Lorenzo
Credit: donini
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Unclimbed side of San Valentin
Unclimbed side of San Valentin
Credit: donini
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An unclimbed 3,000 ft. face...you bet, I know where this one is
An unclimbed 3,000 ft. face...you bet, I know where this one is
Credit: donini
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East Face of San Lorenzo
East Face of San Lorenzo
Credit: donini
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There is also something for rock jocks...
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Cerro Colorado
Cerro Colorado
Credit: donini
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A nice little FA
A nice little FA
Credit: donini
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Glaciers...
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Credit: donini
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Beautiful clouds...
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Credit: donini
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An occasional asado...
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Credit: donini
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Our own pet Caracara...
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Credit: donini
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All centered around one helluva view...
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Credit: donini
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  Trip Report Views: 4,941
donini
About the Author
donini is a trad climber from Ouray, Colorado.

Comments
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, Bozeman, the ocean, or ?
  Dec 19, 2016 - 05:35pm PT
Just wonderful, Jim. Safe travels to you and Angela.

See you at IC this spring!


Susan and Michael
thebravecowboy

climber
The Good Places
  Dec 19, 2016 - 05:40pm PT
neither too much nor too little. just the right kinda spray!
MH2

Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
  Dec 19, 2016 - 05:43pm PT
Prime real estate. Many thanks!

All within an easy drive? Did you show us the roads?
rottingjohnny

Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
  Dec 19, 2016 - 05:54pm PT
Jealous....
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
  Dec 19, 2016 - 05:57pm PT
One question, why leave that place? How bad can winter be?
OK, that was two questions, but one was rhetorical.
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
  Dec 19, 2016 - 06:04pm PT
... when the days shorten in Estados Unidos. I go back dowh on 12/31
Huh? - - 12/21 is the shortest day of the year (they lengthen after that).
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Dec 19, 2016 - 06:52pm PT
I am well aware of when the winter solstice is. The net gain I get on 12/31 may be a minute or two less than on 12/21 but the seven hours still works just fine.
This is the first time in seven years that we are getting there after the solstice.
Prime real estate indeed...and still under the radar.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
  Dec 19, 2016 - 07:20pm PT
A 'medium' size brown trout. Sheesh, the thing looks like
HUGE to me!
I wanna go there!!!!!
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Dec 19, 2016 - 09:22pm PT
Thanks Jim for posting up the glories of your modest winter-bivy site.

I suspect only Jim, Angela, Heidi, & me have enjoyed the glories of sunrise over Lago General Carrera from the master bivy-suite in Jim's bivy cottage. (Jim wasn't there & Angela graciously gave us the master bivy-suite.)

We are forever grateful!




survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Dec 19, 2016 - 07:40pm PT
Killer, beyond killer!
i-b-goB

Big Wall climber
Nutty
  Dec 19, 2016 - 08:03pm PT
Hats off to you, you sure get around!
KP Ariza

climber
SCC
  Dec 19, 2016 - 08:44pm PT
Pretty awesome JD
Darwin

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
  Dec 19, 2016 - 08:47pm PT
Thank you Jim. I'm retiring this coming year, I've been there before (80?) and I going to come and pester you and make you pay for chortling.

But mostly, thanks for posting.
7SacredPools

Trad climber
Ontario, Canada
  Dec 19, 2016 - 08:49pm PT
Holee... that place is amazing...thanks for all those great photos!
EdBannister

Mountain climber
13,000 feet
  Dec 19, 2016 - 09:02pm PT
Sigh,
drool,

thank you for posting Jim!

Selling neighbor lots?
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Dec 20, 2016 - 02:54am PT
Jim, you have created an incredible life,
Stellar photography!
tradmanclimbs

Ice climber
Pomfert VT
  Dec 20, 2016 - 03:06am PT
WOW!
norm larson

climber
wilson, wyoming
  Dec 20, 2016 - 04:24am PT
You certainly seem to have it made Jim. Have fun.
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
  Dec 20, 2016 - 08:47am PT
Dreamy. Thanks for sharing. Would love to get down there someday. What a fantastic looking playground.


-Scott
Aquila

Trad climber
Armenia, Yerevan
  Dec 20, 2016 - 09:51am PT
Looks amazing Jim, waiting forward
to see your new line on San Lorenzo!!!
le_bruce

climber
Oakland, CA
  Dec 20, 2016 - 10:34am PT
Swoooon... Paradise on Earth.

...and, certainly, the most beautiful lake in South America.

Objection!
limpingcrab

Gym climber
Minkler, CA
  Dec 20, 2016 - 10:44am PT
An unclimbed 3,000 ft. face...you bet, I know where this one is

What the what!?!??
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
  Dec 20, 2016 - 10:50am PT
That is indeed so gorgeous!
Thanks a million for the TR - a feast for the eyes and the spirit.
Safe travels and
Happy Holidays to you and Angela.
Phyl
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Dec 20, 2016 - 10:56am PT
Wonderful!
NutAgain!

Trad climber
https://nutagain.org
  Dec 20, 2016 - 11:35am PT
Dude, you must have done something right in this lifetime. Livin' the dream! I get a little cream in my jeans when you post pics of this place.
Marlow

Sport climber
OSLO
  Dec 20, 2016 - 11:41am PT

That's a multitude of sweetness...
EdwardT

Trad climber
Retired
  Dec 20, 2016 - 11:41am PT
Livin' the dream.

Thanks for sharing.
couchmaster

climber
  Dec 20, 2016 - 12:17pm PT


Great stuff! Thanks for brightening up the say and making the wintry cold desk life back here more manageable.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Dec 20, 2016 - 04:44pm PT
Some more eye candy...
Yury

Mountain climber
T.O.
  Dec 21, 2016 - 05:33am PT
https://thesummitregister.com/climbing-the-avellano-towers-of-patagonia/

yanqui

climber
Balcarce, Argentina
  Dec 21, 2016 - 06:09am PT
Looks great!
Tom Patterson

Trad climber
Seattle
  Dec 21, 2016 - 06:31am PT
Wowzer!! Thanks for the tour, donini!
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Dec 21, 2016 - 06:50am PT
Truly amazing!

I will have to get down there!
PhilG

Trad climber
The Circuit, Tonasket WA
  Dec 21, 2016 - 07:46am PT
Really beautiful, Jim.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Dec 21, 2016 - 03:36pm PT
Sunrise
AKDOG

Mountain climber
Anchorage, AK
  Dec 21, 2016 - 04:20pm PT

Nice! need to get down there someday
Thanks for sharing
k-man

Gym climber
SCruz
  Dec 21, 2016 - 04:25pm PT
The only thing I can add to this is a bump... Magnifico.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Dec 22, 2016 - 06:35am PT
The mineral world is also well represented.
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Dec 22, 2016 - 05:43pm PT
Jim! Thanks for sharing more photos. My eyes & brain really think your last photo of a clam shell from Fossil Ridge is instead, a view down an immense cliff of columnar basalt.

If anyone else also sees the same, please calm down. Fossil ridge just has nice hikes and spectacular views.

Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
  Dec 22, 2016 - 09:39am PT
A sweet place indeed!

We are glad that you and Angela are living the dream, and a fine one it is.

Safe travels and a Merry Christmas to you both.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Dec 22, 2016 - 03:40pm PT
Hiking Patagonia style.
briham89

Big Wall climber
santa cruz, ca
  Dec 22, 2016 - 04:54pm PT
So awesome
already taken

Social climber
  Dec 23, 2016 - 09:42am PT
how about this for a jumping off point for your Patagonian travels? on the outskirts of the town of Coyhaique, the gateway to the Aysen region and major fly fishing destination.
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
  Dec 24, 2016 - 09:42am PT
An amazing place! Good luck this season Jim.
crankster

Trad climber
No. Tahoe
  Dec 24, 2016 - 10:01am PT
Leaving with all the snow in Silverton?
Safe travels.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Dec 28, 2016 - 09:36am PT
nopantsben

climber
europe
  Jan 13, 2017 - 06:19am PT
So awesome, thanks for posting that!
steveA

Trad climber
Wolfeboro, NH
  Jan 13, 2017 - 11:43am PT
Jim,

Your doing a damn good job of making me envious/jealous! Glad you both are living the life, and it goes without saying-keep doing what you are doing.
radair

Social climber
North Conway, NH
  Jan 19, 2017 - 05:54pm PT
Incredible photos. Thank you
Kalimon

Social climber
Ridgway, CO
  Jan 19, 2017 - 08:29pm PT
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Don Paul

Social climber
Washington DC
  Jan 23, 2017 - 08:07pm PT
Wow you even have a better version of Devils Tower!
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
  Jan 23, 2017 - 08:33pm PT
Kind of like Wyoming on steroids.
norm larson

climber
wilson, wyoming
  Jan 24, 2017 - 04:53am PT
Mike, I've always told everyone that asks what Patagonia is like is that it is like Wyoming near the end of the last ice age.
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