CERRO FITZ ROY - CERRO CHALTÉN

Also known as Cerro Chaltén, Mount Fitz Roy is, along with the Perito Moreno glacier, the true symbol of Patagonia, the perfect image of a still wild and untamed nature. The first explorer who had the chance, in 1782, to contemplate the Fitz Roy was the Spaniard Don Antonio de Viedma, in search of wood and guided by the Tehuelche Indians. He was followed in 1834 by Charles Darwin and in 1877 by Perito Moreno. The latter gave him his baptismal name in memory of his friend Robert FitzRoy, captain of the HMS Beagle. The first attempts at ascent date back to 1937 with the first expedition of the Italian Aldo Bonacossa. For fifteen years, attempts were made, but no man succeeded in reaching this 3,375-metre high granite colossus. Finally, it was the Frenchmen Terray and Magnone who succeeded in 1954 in overcoming the difficulties of the Fitz Roy. In 1984, a new expedition carried out a variant of the French route, it traces what is today the normal route of ascent. The first woman to reach the summit, in 1978, was a South African, Romey Druschke, and the spiky needles surrounding Mount Fitz Roy give the entire massif a distinctive sawtooth profile. These are the Saint-Exupéry, Poincenot, Val Biois, Mermoz or Guillaumet peaks... they often play hide-and-seek with the clouds and give the landscapes a most mystical atmosphere.

Laguna Capri. The path is the one that leads to the foot of the Fitz Roy. Count 7 km to get there. The first watchtower appears after a 1-2 hour walk, and then you will turn left (another 40 minutes, a sign indicates the junction) instead of continuing towards the Laguna de Los Tres. Ideal for small walkers or days of unstable weather.

Camp Río Blanco or Poincenot. From Chaltén, about 10 km away. We mustn't veer towards the Capri lagoon. Superb views of the massif and the glacier. Count about 3 hours. The setting is magnificent with laughing crystalline streams, shady forest, beautiful site.

From Poincenot to the lagoons at the foot of the Fitz Roy, count 2.5 km of fairly hard non-stop ascent, or 1h to 1h30 of ascent. The end of the route is badly traced, do not hesitate to continue to the banks of the first lagoon and continue to climb. Finally, from here, an easy hike will give you an additional view of the Piedras Blancas glacier