Trip Report
Wild Patagonia...step into a new world!
Monday January 20, 2014 2:13pm
Everybody here is familiar with Patagonia especially the Fitzroy Massiff with the bustling resort town El Chalten at its base. That is "Chamonix Patagonia." Then there is the Torres del Paine which certainly need no introduction. Venture north a degree of latitude or two to the North Patagonia Ice Cap and you have a different and diverse world of mountains, glaciers, rain forests and rolling plains reminiscent of the Serengeti.

Enjoy the following pictorial and come visit!

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San Valentin
San Valentin
Credit: donini
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A major new route to do on the highest peak in Patagonia...I have dibs.
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No one had ever been here before.
No one had ever been here before.
Credit: donini
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Thom Englebach on the Exploradores Glacier 500 feet above sea level.
Thom Englebach on the Exploradores Glacier 500 feet above sea level.
Credit: donini
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Thom negotiating steep rainforest ABOVE the Exploradores.
Thom negotiating steep rainforest ABOVE the Exploradores.
Credit: donini
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Tenkara next time.
Tenkara next time.
Credit: donini
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Meadows above the rainforest and glacier, Julie Andrews would love it ...
Meadows above the rainforest and glacier, Julie Andrews would love it here.
Credit: donini
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The Exploadores far below.
The Exploadores far below.
Credit: donini
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No one had seen this view before.
No one had seen this view before.
Credit: donini
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Or this one!
Or this one!
Credit: donini
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Or this.....so much country to explore.
Or this.....so much country to explore.
Credit: donini
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A more mellow side.
A more mellow side.
Credit: donini
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Marble in the rough.
Marble in the rough.
Credit: donini
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Credit: donini
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View from Lago Carrera.
View from Lago Carrera.
Credit: donini
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Morning alpenglow.
Morning alpenglow.
Credit: donini
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Did the first ascents of the two peaks on the right.
Did the first ascents of the two peaks on the right.
Credit: donini
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The road to Chili Chico.
The road to Chili Chico.
Credit: donini
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Credit: donini
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Often a mill pond, the lake does have its moments.
Often a mill pond, the lake does have its moments.
Credit: donini
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A nicer day.
A nicer day.
Credit: donini
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Mountains, rain forests and arid plains are juxtaposed .....some rain forest photos.
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Credit: donini
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Angela getting it done.
Angela getting it done.
Credit: donini
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Brad McMillon strolling thru an enchanted forest.
Brad McMillon strolling thru an enchanted forest.
Credit: donini
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Yes....there are parakeets.
Yes....there are parakeets.
Credit: donini
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An hour from my house is the "Guanaco Serengeti."
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Credit: donini
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A love bite
A love bite
Credit: donini
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Credit: donini
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Kids will play
Kids will play
Credit: donini
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Condors are present in the mountains, above the glaciers and over the desert.
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Credit: donini
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Three's company.
Three's company.
Credit: donini
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It's right behind you!
It's right behind you!
Credit: donini
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Some other wildlife.
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Pigmy Owl
Pigmy Owl
Credit: donini
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Credit: donini
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What's this one Bobby D?
What's this one Bobby D?
Credit: donini
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And this one?
And this one?
Credit: donini
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And not so wild life.
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Get out of here!
Get out of here!
Credit: donini
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Man and his dogs
Man and his dogs
Credit: donini
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The desert isn't far away.
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And there is some real climbing to do there. Nearly a thousand feet of...
And there is some real climbing to do there. Nearly a thousand feet of it.
Credit: donini
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But Patagonia is all about the water.
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And you can drink it anywhere you find it.
And you can drink it anywhere you find it.
Credit: donini
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Confluencia of the Rio Baker and the Rio Neff.
Confluencia of the Rio Baker and the Rio Neff.
Credit: donini
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The Maqui getting ready for a 500 ft. tumble a mile from our home.
The Maqui getting ready for a 500 ft. tumble a mile from our home.
Credit: donini
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Last year Fritz and Heidi came to visit.
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Fritz and Heidi getting a product shot, no need to filter.
Fritz and Heidi getting a product shot, no need to filter.
Credit: donini
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Lucky they didn't fall in, this was just below them.
Lucky they didn't fall in, this was just below them.
Credit: donini
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Basecamp....I don't like the hard ground anymore.
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perfect place to finis Kelly's "The Tower"
perfect place to finis Kelly's "The Tower"
Credit: donini
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You have to eat.
You have to eat.
Credit: donini
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This chair is for you if you come and visit.
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Credit: donini
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  Trip Report Views: 4,977
donini
About the Author
donini is a trad climber from Ouray, Colorado.

Comments
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
  Jan 20, 2014 - 02:54pm PT
hold on folks come back latter , i'm editing

Keep it coming -- I'll be back.
velvet!

Trad climber
La Cochitaville
  Jan 20, 2014 - 03:30pm PT

First ascents as far as the eye can see...
BLUEBLOCR

Social climber
joshua tree
  Jan 20, 2014 - 03:36pm PT
Nice Peaks!
Nice fish to! Looks like you went back to the'ol spinning rod.
I'll bet you use cams to huh?
hossjulia

Trad climber
Carson City, NV
  Jan 20, 2014 - 04:11pm PT
tfpu, like Tammi said, eye candy for us poor folk stuck at work
anita514

Gym climber
Great White North
  Jan 20, 2014 - 04:15pm PT
beautiful
what a land of contrasts... thanks for sharing
mooser

Trad climber
seattle
  Jan 20, 2014 - 04:19pm PT
Wow...I would love to be there!

Two words: Spec Tacular!
skywalker

climber
  Jan 20, 2014 - 04:19pm PT
I hope I'm not thread drifting here or asking more out of your generous eye candy but more info/photos on the rainforest if I may ask. I really like rain forests when its...well, raining.

Thanks for the photos!

S...
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
  Jan 20, 2014 - 04:22pm PT
Badass TR.

I love the bird shots.
Lynne Leichtfuss

Sport climber
moving thru
  Jan 20, 2014 - 04:29pm PT
OMG.....incredible. They even have fuchias there. Temperature must be moderate in rain forest. Wow and Wow!!! lynnie
L

climber
Just livin' the dream
  Jan 20, 2014 - 04:41pm PT
Incredible photos, Jim! What a beautiful place to have a 2nd home.

Thanks for sharing it.
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Jan 20, 2014 - 04:48pm PT
After last year's visit, I can see why Jim & Angela have a basecamp there. Pretty spectacular places are all around, and right there too.

At the top of Fossil Ridge after a nice day hike.

The locals are friendly.

I found some old Donini pants that fit, after our bags stayed in Santiago for most of our visit.

Heidi got familiar with Donini's ice climbing tools.

Thanks again to Angela & Jim!

Marlow

Sport climber
OSLO
  Jan 20, 2014 - 04:56pm PT

A Patagonian world of wonder...
And the woods...
FRUMY

Trad climber
Bishop,CA
  Jan 20, 2014 - 05:07pm PT
TFPU
Brian in SLC

Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
  Jan 20, 2014 - 05:14pm PT
Great!
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
  Jan 20, 2014 - 05:15pm PT
Wow very cool. Are all of these photos taken in the same general location.
norm larson

climber
wilson, wyoming
  Jan 20, 2014 - 06:27pm PT
Thanks Jim. I haven't been down that way for 6 years now and I just spent the whole day thinking of my love of Patagonia while working today in my shop. Then I come in and see this! Next year again for sure. It's like what Wyoming was at the end of the last ice age. There really is no other place like it.

Resort town of Chalten, who would of ever dreamed of that 30 years ago?
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
  Jan 20, 2014 - 06:28pm PT

One day, I want to visit, Jim.
Thanks for sharing--gorgeous pics.
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
  Jan 20, 2014 - 07:47pm PT
Thanks Jim, awesome pictures of a world class one of a kind place. Can't wait to go again.......so many places so little time!
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Jan 20, 2014 - 07:52pm PT
Mike, all photos in the same general area...mountains, glaciers, rain forest and savannah bleed into each other.
Come on back down Norm and make your first trip Steve.
Fritz, I'll be using a Tenkara rod this time, perfect for the Maqui.
Chugach

Trad climber
Vermont
  Jan 20, 2014 - 07:51pm PT
You are living large
scuffy b

climber
heading slowly NNW
  Jan 20, 2014 - 07:58pm PT
Thanks for posting all this, Jim.

Have a great stay. No adventures so major as last year, please.
F10

Trad climber
Bishop
  Jan 20, 2014 - 08:12pm PT
Fantastic TR
divad

Trad climber
wmass
  Jan 20, 2014 - 08:19pm PT
makes me feel like a dull boy...
franky

Trad climber
Madison, WI
  Jan 20, 2014 - 08:21pm PT
That California Quail weirded me out too, in the roost no less!
David Wilson

climber
CA
  Jan 20, 2014 - 08:40pm PT
Awesome Jim ! Looks amazing. How hard is it to get to your property?
johntp

Trad climber
Punter, Little Rock
  Jan 20, 2014 - 08:53pm PT
TFPU; sweet.
Darwin

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
  Jan 20, 2014 - 08:59pm PT
Just a simple: THANKS!!!!

Guanaco,condors,those southern beach(?) trees,MOUNTAINS,birds.

God!, it makes me nostalgic.

Darwin
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Jan 20, 2014 - 09:32pm PT
David, owning land in Chile isn't a problem....not so in Argentina.
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Jan 20, 2014 - 10:02pm PT
Jim: Have fun with that fly rod, re your comment.

Fritz, I'll be using a Tenkara rod this time, perfect for the Maqui.


Looks like a perfect stream for that technique. Jerry & I had a great day fishing for little rainbows & browns above the falls. It felt very-much like some of the South-Idaho streams I like to fish, including the cows.

It was also the first time in about 20 years that I practiced "catch & kill" fishing.

No regrets, and they were delicious!
thebravecowboy

climber
The Good Places
  Jan 20, 2014 - 10:07pm PT
positively dreamy, Capt. D.
Willoughby

Social climber
Truckee, CA
  Jan 20, 2014 - 10:32pm PT
Fan-friggin-tastic.

PS - I'd guess your mystery bird in the rain is a Fire-eyed Diucon (Xolmis pyrope)
Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber
San Francisco
  Jan 20, 2014 - 11:14pm PT
Really nice photos. Love the photo of THE peak and flowers are also beautiful.
McHale's Navy

Trad climber
From Panorama City, CA
  Jan 21, 2014 - 12:58am PT
San Valentin looks pretty mean!
Wayno

Big Wall climber
Republic, WA
  Jan 21, 2014 - 01:52am PT
Enjoy the following pictorial and come visit!

Serious?
TrundleBum

Trad climber
Las Vegas
  Jan 21, 2014 - 03:54am PT

I just put most everything I own up on Craig's List !
velvet!

Trad climber
La Cochitaville
  Jan 21, 2014 - 07:31am PT
Donini, is the weather significantly better where you are compared with Pumalin??

:)
lib
steveA

Trad climber
Wolfeboro, NH
  Jan 21, 2014 - 07:52am PT
Jim,

Just beautiful!
JohnnyG

climber
  Jan 21, 2014 - 10:44am PT
that is insane. Totally awesome
Scole

Trad climber
Zapopan
  Jan 21, 2014 - 11:01am PT
Amazing place Jim

I regret that most all of my time in Patagonia has been spent in the Fitroy area (before Chalten') The walk to Rio Blanco used to look like your enchanted forest photo re-posted above.

Next time I go back I would love to explore the other Patagonia where the Guanaco and the condors play.
this just in

climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
  Jan 21, 2014 - 11:02am PT
Wow. I would love to sit in that chair. You're living the dream Donini, thanks for all the pics!
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
  Jan 21, 2014 - 11:20am PT
The natives are not unfriendly and they have nice lips.

RyanD

climber
  Jan 21, 2014 - 12:24pm PT
Thanks Jim. Inspiring landscapes, beautiful rivers & good people.

Good way to start the day, cheers.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Jan 21, 2014 - 08:05pm PT
Yes....the weather is MUCH better than Pumalin.

A few more images.
[photoid=3415
kaholatingtong

Trad climber
The fake McCoy from nevernever land.
  Jan 21, 2014 - 10:41pm PT
beautiful, tfpu.
melski

Trad climber
bytheriver
  Jan 22, 2014 - 08:00pm PT
jim ,,i havent seen this much photo for a while from you,,,very nice,,,the chair is [just smile] very seductive,,,happy and proud of fellow climbers,,fair winds mate,,,
Porkchop_express

Trad climber
Springdale, UT
  Jan 22, 2014 - 08:05pm PT
Whats the story with that columnar formation? Is it basalt? Any routes on it? So much awesomeness--gotta get down there!
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Jan 22, 2014 - 08:10pm PT
REALLY beautiful pictures Jim!
you Sir are a lucky man!!!!
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Jan 22, 2014 - 08:31pm PT
The columnar formation is basalt. So far we have about 15 pitches done including a great 4 pitch 5.11c. No ozone hole....and the water and air are as pure as it gets.

The chair awaits the intrepid!
MH2

Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
  Jan 22, 2014 - 08:38pm PT
Pretty nice, but I wasn't sold until the cow;
ms55401

Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
  Jan 22, 2014 - 10:45pm PT
FAKT: EL CHALTEN IS CASTELLANO FOR POSERVILLE
HARDMEN FIND CHILEAN PATTY
JOEY.F

Gym climber
It's not rocket surgery
  Jan 22, 2014 - 11:19pm PT
I wish I was in that chair...thanks for the beautiful photos!
MisterE

Gym climber
Small Town with a Big Back Yard
  May 10, 2014 - 10:00pm PT
Bump!
Sanskara

climber
  May 10, 2014 - 10:48pm PT
Bump
Johnny K.

climber
  Sep 4, 2014 - 12:30pm PT
Blue Camalots for days.
craig morris

Trad climber
la
  Sep 4, 2014 - 03:31pm PT
Thanks for that.
Larry Nelson

Social climber
  Jun 1, 2016 - 07:42am PT
Finding old TR gems a few pages back ;-)
Stewart Johnson

Gym climber
top lake
  Jun 1, 2016 - 07:57am PT
Impressive!
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
  Jun 1, 2016 - 08:51am PT
Gem of a TR bump.
Go