Overview
Mountaineering in Patagonia: 42 day training course

For 40 days your home will be a remote ice cap in Chilean Patagonia, where you will learn the mountaineering skills you need to thrive in the backcountry, ultimately reaching a level that you would feel confident planning your own expeditions in future. From climbing to the summit of snow-capped peaks to rafting across crystal lakes, mastering how to use an ice axe to learning cooking techniques you can use after traversing an ice-field that day; by taking this Patagonian mountaineering course, you have the opportunity to enjoy the real range of extremes that Patagonian mountaineering life contains! With a number of landscapes, weathers and adventures to enjoy on the way, this mountaineering course is bound to get you hooked… marking just the start of your mountaineering days!

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The trip was great fun and a good introduction to the technical side of mountaineering. The guides were amazing - very informative, safety conscious and professional. Brilliant job, well run and a friendly atmosphere!

Ian L., Student, 2007

Highlights

Obtain a WEA (Wilderness Education Association) “Outdoor Leader” certification, a WMO (Wilderness Medical Outfitter) “Wilderness First Aid” certification, an Avalanche Level I Certification, and a “Leave No Trace” practitioner certification. Learning a variety of things from your experienced and qualified guides, including: 'Leave No Trace' camping and cooking skills; crampon, belay and rope techniques, knowledge about glacial travel, the environment, local flora and fauna, and Patagonian natural history; practising leadership skills; and building group dynamics.

Location

The course takes place in the world Biosphere Reserve of Laguna San Rafael National Park. This park of 1.7 million hectares encompasses the entire Northern Ice Cap and a third of the Southern Ice Cap covering old glacial valleys, beech forest, rocky ridges and higher up to the snowy expanses of the ice cap itself. The Course commences from the small town of Coyhaique, Chile and move onto the Northern Ice Cap (Campo de Hielo Norte) for the duration of the trip. The access to the Northern Ice Cap is approximately five hours drive from Coyhaique, deep in the beautiful Aysen region of Chile.

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Field Conditions

After an initial two-day period at base camp in Coyhaique you will head out to camp in the remote Patagonian wilderness. Your home will be high-quality mountain tents, and you will learn skills of cooking, cleaning and surviving in the wilderness. All food is provided but the group will cook together. In the field you will be sharing a tent with 2 other students. If conditions allow or demand we will spend some nights in snow caves. Be prepared for diverse weather conditions!

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What's Included

Pre-departure support, a 24-hour emergency phone line, Professional instruction throughout the six weeks, from qualified and experienced guides, transportation for the duration of the course, all food, Tents, Plastic mountaineering boots, all group cooking equipment, all technical climbing equipment, all snow equipment, all safety equipment including first aid kits (except personal prescription medications), maps and compasses, Wilderness First Aid Practitioner qualification, Leave No Trace Practitioner qualification, Avanlance 1 qualification.

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