Our little story...

Andescross was founded in 2001 and came from a natural development of my lifelong connection with the mountains. As a teenager (early 1990-s), along with my friends, we mountain biked the trails to the local climbing crag after school on numerous occasions. On snowy days we managed to get out of school early for powder skiing in the area of Bariloche. We would take weekends off and visit the closest mountain hut to ski or climb, according to the season.

I spent two years in Buenos Aires as an engineer-architect student, but my passion for being outdoors and my extra energy led me back to pursue a life in the mountains. Who knows, maybe one day I will go back behind the desk…

To pay for my climbing and skiing trips in my early 20´s (mid 1990´s), I spent two summer seasons commercial salmon fishing in Kodiak, Alaska. Here, I learned English and developed a love for Alaska where I go back every time I can. In those years I also spent time in the lower 48 of the USA, climbing towers in the desert of Utah, in the Dolomites of Italy (Corvara), Spain, Southern France, Czech Republic (Adrspach), and Slovakia.

Later on, I decided to pursue a career as a Mountain Guide. I started guiding in Southern Patagonia in 1998 and slowly started to make my career from guiding hiking, climbing, and skiing. Finally, I proudly became UIAGM- IFMGA certified.

Since then, I have spent my time between guiding and doing personal mountain trips. Some of the most memorable places include the Canadian Rockies (Canmore/Banff), USA -Yosemite, Needles (CA), Washington pass (WA), ski mountaineering in the Chugach and Wrangells-Saint Elias range of Alaska. Of course, at home in various places in Argentina and Chile such as the Southern Patagonian Ice field, Central Andes of Mendoza, Central Patagonia, Cerro San Lorenzo and Cerro Castillo, and ski touring in Antarctica to name a few.

Today, Andescross has expanded to include a highly skilled team, and we enjoy all mountainous activities such as family treks, alpine climbs, glacier walks, and mountain biking in the Andes of Patagonia, Argentina and Chile. Our main reputation is known for our ski mountaineering and AT ski touring in the Andes. We are considered by many one of the most experienced guided ski mountaineering companies in Argentina and Chile.

Also, we are offering few overseas trips as Skiing in Alaska, Climbing in the Dolomites and Skiing in Antarctica.

See below for more details about our guides´ resumes, articles in the news and clients' testimonials …


News and Media

In September 2009 we worked with Rocky Mountains Sherpas and Nate Nash (cameraman for Matchstick Production for 10 + years). We had a blast organizing logistic, guiding, and helping in filming and skiing the Crater of Volcano Puyehue in Chile with World class Ski athletes from Salomon, Helly Hansen and 4frnt Skis: Mark Abma, Eric Hjorleifson and Chris Rubens. They took footage to create an environmental film and a TV show for Salomon Freeski TV. Check out the previous work of the R. M Sherpas: THE FINE LINE; an amazing educational film about Avalanche awareness that Powder Magazine describes as:

"A combination of top flight ski footage and avalanche awareness, The Fine Line is ski porn with a public service message. Featuring the best skiers in the world, dramatic avalanche footage, solid editing and good information that all skiers should be aware of, The Fine Line keeps viewers entertained while educating them." -Powder Mag

Our trip with SALOMON FREESKI TV episode - description



Do you want to ski into the CRATER OF A VOLCANO, let us know at info@andescross.com


"Frommer's and Footprints travel guide books recommend our services as a Mountain, ski and alpine guiding operators in the Patagonian Andes of Argentina and Chile"

Scramble Guidebooks from Canada has recommended our winter trips to its readers, check it here!

Our article in the NEWS - Antarctica trip 2009

A little story about our trek with Mr Brooks in adventure trek in Patagonia in March 2010

Powder Magazine – September 2010- Skiing Crater of Volcano Puyehue!! Coming soon!

We provide logistics and guided support in Patagonia to other UIAGM-IFMGA guides, like Jim Gudjonson, he is a Senior Mountain guide from the ACMG based in BC, CANADA works for University of Kamloops and the Alpine Club of Canada

Why us?

• Safety and fun: Andescross works with the most recognized Mountain Guides in the Patagonia area, most of them belong to the UIAGM- IFMGA which is the highest international recognition certification as a Mountain Guide
  
• Worldwide experience and fluent in English and Spanish. Our guides have traveled through Canada, US and Europe learning, working and playing to improve their mountain skills, language and knowledge.
  
• And plus this … We love the sunsets, the early wake-ups, the cold, the ice, the fresh powder in a quite morning, brew “mate” or coffee from our tents, we love our hands and fingers jammed in a crack, an evening rappel to our tents, we love a good beer after a good climb, We also love to brake trail through fresh snow ,we love to have first tracks in a snow on powder day, and we have no friends on powder days!...... let’s go and play!!

Meet Our Guides

ABOUT MOUNTAIN GUIDING CERTIFICATIONS-IMPORTANT:
Choosing your guide - in the Andes of Argentina- Chile, Patagonia -
What is the UIAGM-IFMGA- IVBV Mountain guide certification?

Mountaineering, trekking, climbing and backcountry skiing:


Jorge Kozulj:

fluent in English and Spanish, is a UIAGM-IFMGA Mountain Guide, which is the highest international recognition in this profession. Also is a Ski Patrol and sometimes helps at the local Mountain Rescue Team in Bariloche.

Jorge has also worked in Safety and Security in the Discovery Channel Eco Challenge (99). In 2002, he worked in vertical jobs for seismic exploration and helicopter jobs for VSI in Canmore, Canada.

Since 2000 he spend his days guiding several ski touring trips, Volcanoes, Hut to Hut, Steep skiing in the winter and beautiful adventure Climbing and Family trek trips in the summer.

Some of the technical guided climbing trips includes Aguja Guillaumet, Brenner Route (6b-5.10+) , Ice cap traverses in Patagonia, Expedition to Mariano Moreno (faraway in the Ice cap) and Cerro San Lorenzo (2nd highest in Patagonia). Jorge’s Patagonia climbing resume includes aguja Saint Exupery, Buscaini variant, March 97, Cerro Grande and Mocho. He has done personal ski mountaineering trips to the Chugach (07) (Valdez, inner Chugach, Wittier area) and expedition to the Wrangells-St Elias (2010) in Alaska picking chutes and powder as most as possible!

Several classic climbs in Yosemite 08-09, Half Dome in a day, free climbing. Guided Ski touring trip with clients in the Antarctic Peninsula in November 2009, sharing the ship and guiding time with the guys from Points North Heliskiing (Alaska) and the Warren Miller crew among other people.

Lucas Jacobson:

Is a Mountain Guide certified by AAGM (Argentine Mountain Guide Association). Lucas had climbed in many different areas of Patagonia and also in Peru (Alpamayo), Chile, Bolivia and Europe, like Matterhorn/Cervino, where he used to work during summers. In his resume we can add expeditions to the Southern Patagonian Ice cap and Cerro San Lorenzo. Lucas has plenty experience in technical telecommunications systems, seismic and vertical works. Is a permanent member of the CAX (Comisión de Auxilio Bariloche), which is the local Mountain Rescue Team in Bariloche. He teaches mountaineering for teenagers in the winter school of Club Andino Bariloche. Lucas has his WFR (Wilderness First Responder) certification. In 2008, he did several ascents in Yosemite and now he is working to achieve his full UIAGM certification
Fluent in Italian, English and Spanish

Nicolás de la Cruz

Is a very well recognized Mountain Guide in Argentina certified by UIAGM-IFMGA-IVBV. He was born 3/02/1965.
Nicolas managed the paradise of Refugio Frey for 14 years.
He has been guiding since 1990 in the Patagonian Andes. Nicolás is also the President of the Argentinean. Mountain Guide Association. and was the driven force for Argentina to become members of the UIAGM-IFMGA-IVBV.
Several guided trip ascents to Aconcagua. Climbed Xixapagma (Himalaya) when he was 27 years old
Nicolas has worked in the film production of “Grito di Pietra” and his Area of specialization is Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi and Northern Patagonia.
His preffered guided trips include: Frey granite climbing / Torre Principal, Ski touring in Cº Catedral massif and Refugio San Martín, Monte Tronador and Volcano Lanin , Domuyo fall time, Four Mt hut Loves Trekking trips and Trekking El Bolsón.

He speaks fluent French, English and Italian.

Sponsors: Petzl - Charlet Moser, Movement skis, Ansilta

Craig Ross:

He is a mountain guide UIAGM – IFMGA certified who has been working as a guide since 1996. He has climbed mountains in Cordillera Blanca (Peru), Yosemite, Canada (Bugaboos), France (Chamonix) and several European countries and Southern Patagonia, where he worked as mountain guide for several years. He has devoted his life to his great passion: the mountains and his family. He is an excellent sportsman, including the opportunity to participate in the Eco Challenge adventure race in New Zealand 2001. He has worked for several years leading trips for Nols and Outward Bound in the Patagonia region. Today he has a wonderful family and 2 daughters, so he spends most of his time local guiding in the area of Bariloche

Mountain bike:

Germán González:

He is the chief organizer and guide in our mountain biking tours. He is also an auxiliary at the Argentine Red Cross organization. He has been working for most of his life guiding bike trips in the Patagonia region. He wrote the first guiding book about biking tours and crossings in the Bariloche area and its surroundings “Travesías en bicicleta” (1994). He is a funding member of the Argentine Mountain biking guides’ Association.

He guides several trips mountain biking in Patagonia, Argentina and Chile for REI adventures and other international outfitters
He and his wife runs a little outdoor clothing company in Bariloche, where they make their own pants, backpacks, drybags, hats, etc… check www.tehuelchepatagonia.com

Gustavo Di Ciurcio:

He is CEO of “Rescate Patagonia” (Patagonia rescue) and he is also a co-worker with Andescross in trekking activities. He is also paramedic, technician in medical emergencies, PHTLS (Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support) instructor- teacher at the Comahue University “mountain first medical aid and emergencies”. He has worked as paramedic and medical assistant in many outdoor adventure events such as Peugeot Eco Adventure (March‘2001), Marlboro Adventure Team selection camp (February, 2001). He has more than 12 years experience working in medical emergency activities. Gustavo is also a French Red Cross rescue worker (He has worked several years in Europe) and he also coordinates the Rescue team of “Cerro Bayo” skiing center.

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