Stage 3 21 Nov 2011 -
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Hot Rock South America |
Argentina |
Chile |
Brazil |
We'll spend a full week in vibrant Rio, a dead cert highlight of the expedition. Climbing in Rio is in Urca, on the sugar loaf, even on the Cristo Redentor... it's everywhere. And there's usually a cable car down as well! The sandstone is reputedly solid and of course, the entire area is extensively guidebooked so you can be sure that the main lines are well travelled. |
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Changeover is halfway through this week, so there'll be farewells to some and a welcome to new faces. Non climbing days can be spent on Copacabana or Ipanema beaches. You could watch street footie being played in the spiritual home of the beautiful game, taking a tour into the amazon or endless other activities. Not to mention the infamous nightlife... |
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Rio is just one of 4 climbing destinations on this section in Brazil though, as we head westwards towards the Pacific. Morro do Carno, Cuscuzeiro and Sao Luis de Puruna all have highly rated climbing on 1-3 pitch sandstone in rural surroundings and we'll split 11 days between these destinations. |
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As usual, our schedule will be flexible according to what the group wants to do... and of course between now and then the first Hot Rock South America trip will have covered the same ground - ensuring that we benefit from their explorations. |
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Our base in Cordoba will be the alpine granite of Los Gigantes. This will be an expedition highlight with established routes and a good grade spread. Together with its sister crag, La Ola (which we visited on the preceding section,) Los Gigantes contains some of Argentina's best known climbing. It even has its own guidebook! |
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With our tango steps duly perfected in Cordoba, the world tango capital, the expedition heads to Capilla del Monte. 100 guidebooked routes await us here, once again a mixture of sport and trad, and we'll spend 5 days here before heading to Mendoza, at the foothills of the Andes and the jumping off point for Aconcagua. |
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Aconcagua is one of the seven summits, and at 6994m (7000 if you believe the argentine hype) it is a serious mountain, despite its reputation. The Polish glacier (pictured) is the best route of ascent in the lower grades. We will not be stopping for long here but it is climbing season on the mountain and so it is easy for anyone wanting to tick aconcagua to catch us up - speak to me. |
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After a day or two in Mendoza (where rafting the Rio Diamante may take second place to the best steak and wine in the world) the expedition heads west, crossing the spine of the Andes at Los Penitentes. This ski resort is also the jumping off point for Aconcagua expeditions. Descending the pass in full view of Santiago and the Pacific ocean, we'll reflect on a stage that has taken us from Atlantic to Pacific and from riotous Rio to spectacular Santiago, via jungle, pampas, alpine and lowland crags the breadth of South America. If you like what you've just read, check out the dates & prices and get in touch! |
