Rock Climbing in Northern Patagonia, Argentina
ANDESCROSS- Personalized Outdoor Guiding
UIAGM-IFMGA Mountain Guides

"With climbing you let your body flow, you feel gravity, you break all your patterns and you feel your body and mind. This dancing sensation in the vertical emptiness demands a special mental involvement and engagement"

San Carlos de Bariloche is the capital of the Lakes District in the Northern Patagonia Andes. Today, this town is probably one of the best areas as a base for rock climbing in South America. Bariloche is also a great place to warm up before heading to the big towers of Southern Patagonia: Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and Torres del Paine Massifs.

Our mountain guides are certified by the highest international standards and have over 15 years of climbing experience in Patagonia. Here below, we will offer to you the main rock climbing trips for this part of the Andes.

Season: September to April
Duration: two to x days
Level: Beginners, intermediate and advance climbers

Style: Traditional climbing mostly, some bolts

After a four hour approach we hike into the valley of Laguna Toncek, situated at 1,700 meters above sea level. You'll be stunned by the beauty of the jagged granite spires of Cerro Catedral. There are around 200 traditional and sport routes (mostly trad) to enjoy on the different spires such as El Monje, Aguja Frey, Aguja El Tonto, M2, El Abuelo, La Vieja, Campanile, and Cohete Lunar.

Climbs average 3-4 pitches, but we can show you good 6- 8 pitch climbs too. Mostly traditional climbing in between 4 th / 7b French grade ( 5.7 to 5.12’s YDS). This golden granite offers pure cracks systems, slabs, face climbing, “chicken heads”, and delicate smearing climbs.

Most of the modern routes were put up by Michel Piola, Rolando Garibotti, Sebastian de la Cruz, Ramiro Calvo, Manuel Rapaport and others in the ‘80s and ‘90s. These climbers established an aestethic combination of bolted and trad protection climbs. You can find some run-outs and some well protected routes. In most cases, bolts were placed only as necessary, which gives Frey a “traditional” alpine crag feeling.

After climbing all day we can go for a dip in Laguna Toncek to cool off.Then we'll head to the hut (Refugio Frey), which offers very good pizza and wine.

The alpine setting, beautiful golden granite spires, and the variety of climbs makes Frey one of the best areas for rock climbing in South America. Life in Frey is perfect!

Rates: includes: Guide (one per 2 people), equipment, meals, snacks. Optional: lodging in mountain lodge or tent, transportation

Season: October to May
Duration: daily trips
Level: Beginners, intermediate

Enjoy a full day of climbing on routes with an excellent view of Nahuel Huapi lake and the city of Bariloche. These are technical routes, ideal for intermediate climbers. After climbing all day, we suggest a late-day tour of Bariloche - when the scenery is most beautiful.Includes transport, guide, equipment and snacks

Rates: includes: Guide, equipment, transportation, snacks. (climbing shoes not included).

Season: September to May
Duration: one to x days
Level: Beginners, intermediate and advanced climbers.

Style: Sport climbing, mostly bolted

The “Enchanted Valley” is located 60 km east of Bariloche and truly fulfills its name. In this 40 minute drive there is a drastic change from the Andes range to the Patagonian Steppe. This is one of the most scenic spots in the Steppe for rock climbing. The volcanic rock has unique formations with pockets, “tufas”, and horns. A quick approach and a light rack leaves you with plenty of energy to climb as many of these sport routes as you desire.

Rates: includes: Guide, river crossing in canoe, equipment, transportation, snacks. (climbing shoes not included)

Season: September to May
Duration: half day/ full day
Level: Beginners, intermediate and advanced climbers.

Style: Sport climbing / bolted

If you want to climb for half or full day, we can show you several different sport climbing crags close to town. Within 30 minutes radius from Bariloche, there are several different types of rocks that are all bolted and well protected. Routes vary from 15 to 25 mts long and are graded 5+ to 8a/b and projects (5.9 to 5.13 YDS) .

We can start climbing in the towers of Piedras Blancas in the morning with an excellent view of Nahuel Huapi lake and the city of Bariloche. These are technical routes, mostly slaby and ideal terrain for intermediate climbers. Then, we can head to another sport climbing crag like Cerro Ventana, Morehuapi, or Laguna el Trebol to have shade for a cool afternoon.

Rates: includes: Guide, equipment, transportation, snacks. (climbing shoes not included).

*If you are interested in more information on any of these trips listed above, or you have questions about our climbing trips in Southern Patagonia (Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre Massif), please email us and we will be happy to customize your trip!

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