Trip Report
First one here now how do i get there? Exploring in Aysen Patagonia.
Friday December 5, 2014 7:09pm
Climbing, for me, has always been about exploring. That can mean a few meters of virgin rock or an unclimbed peak in some remote corner of the world.
Not easy to find virgins anymore but if you go to the right place and use some route finding cunning and a little elbow grease you can still stand where no one has before.
Aysen Patagonia is one of those places. Angela and I have a little house on a lake that makes a perfect base camp. We're heading there next week so I thought I would throw out a little teaser to get your exploratory genes flaring.
A new dirt road has been pushed thru the virgin rain forest of the stunning Exploradores Valley nearly to the sea.
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Looking down on the new road.
Looking down on the new road.
Credit: donini
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This road has, for the robust, opened a lot of previously unexplored terrain.
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Two years ago on the previously unnamed Ventisquero Angela.
Two years ago on the previously unnamed Ventisquero Angela.
Credit: donini
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Getting to the peaks, usually not visible from the road, requires a number of maneuvers.
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It's South America but no piranhas here.
It's South America but no piranhas here.
Credit: donini
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There is always some rain forest bushwhacking involved.
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But at least the flora is pretty..
But at least the flora is pretty..
Credit: donini
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Effort has it's rewards with attractive, and virgin, peaks coming into view.
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Hmmm....did someone bring a rope?
Hmmm....did someone bring a rope?
Credit: donini
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There are those frustrating times when you're standing where no one has before and there is an unexplored DEEP valley between you and that tantalizing peak that you feel you can almost touch. Now how do you get from here to there?
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Please someone, climb me, I've been waiting so long.
Please someone, climb me, I've been waiting so long.
Credit: donini
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NO...do me, I have a pitch that might tax you.
NO...do me, I have a pitch that might tax you.
Credit: donini
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Since my wife and I came to this area I've done six previously unclimbed peaks. One had some 5.11 on it but mostly the real challenge has been finding them and then GETTING there.
Come explore and enjoy....the Third Pillar of Dana isn't going anywhere.

  Trip Report Views: 2,466
donini
About the Author
donini is a trad climber from Ouray, Colorado.

Comments
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
  Dec 5, 2014 - 07:15pm PT
Man I wish. Hang around a bit and I can get there after my retirement.
wbw

Trad climber
'cross the great divide
  Dec 5, 2014 - 07:15pm PT
That place looks bitchin'. Great photos. How's the weather there?
Peter Haan

Trad climber
Wyoming
  Dec 5, 2014 - 08:07pm PT
Thanks J-do. Terrific country and you two sure know what you are doing, to say the least. Gorgeous country.
Russ Walling

Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
  Dec 5, 2014 - 08:09pm PT
Nice!
Roger Breedlove

climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
  Dec 5, 2014 - 08:14pm PT
Nice photos Jim, especially the valley view and you walking up the snow slope, followed by the random paddling. Your silhouette hasn't changed much in 40 years. Happy holidays.
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Dec 5, 2014 - 08:25pm PT
Donini: Many thanks again to both of you, for Angela hosting and guiding us in this wonderful area in your absence.

I think this nice spire above the Exploradores Valley is waiting for you.

Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
  Dec 5, 2014 - 11:01pm PT
I can't see the damn telepherique!
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Dec 5, 2014 - 08:56pm PT
I can't help but think that the summit shot of Donini learing & balancing on
the beak
of that pinnacle, would be classic.
pop.risk

Ice climber
japan
  Dec 5, 2014 - 08:57pm PT
great to see. the era of getting on new peaks is far from over, only the will to do it has changed.

exciting stuff
johnboy

Trad climber
Can't get here from there
  Dec 5, 2014 - 09:48pm PT
The amount of fun down there is torture for those of us that may never make it.
It's a bone dangling before me, begging me to go for the marrow.

TFPU
Larry Nelson

Social climber
  Dec 5, 2014 - 09:22pm PT
Great photos that brought back some great memories.
8 years ago I traveled out of Coyhaique with a buddy, his Brazilian wife and my Brazilian girlfriend. We spent two weeks touring the area...the marble caves on Lago General Carrera, and to the end of the road you refer to. It did not go to the sea at that time, but the valley it traveled through was just spectacular, with views of the Monte San Valetin and it's glacier. This was not a climbing trip, but we were astounded at the several lifetimes you could spend exploring and climbing in this area. Beautiful country and beautiful people. We loved everything about it and are looking for an opportunity to return.
TFPU
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Dec 5, 2014 - 09:28pm PT
Like!

Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Dec 5, 2014 - 09:36pm PT
stunningly beautiful!
kaholatingtong

Trad climber
The fake McCoy from nevernever land.
  Dec 5, 2014 - 11:00pm PT
Awesome share Jim.
crankster

Trad climber
No. Tahoe
  Dec 6, 2014 - 08:26am PT
More!
climbski2

Mountain climber
The Ocean
  Dec 6, 2014 - 08:38am PT
What an opportunity for folks with a bit of time and funds. I guess you could go to all the regular places people go for big trips...but if I were serious about getting out of the country to do something This would be very high on the list. The bushwhacking looks almost Alaskan in nature though..yuck

Great share Jim!
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
  Dec 6, 2014 - 09:13am PT
Lucky !!
RyanD

climber
  Dec 6, 2014 - 09:33am PT
Right on Jim. Keeping it real.
johnkelley

climber
Anchorage Alaska
  Dec 7, 2014 - 03:54pm PT
Nice.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Dec 7, 2014 - 03:58pm PT
Hhhmmmm
NutAgain!

Trad climber
https://nutagain.org
  Dec 7, 2014 - 05:04pm PT
After wifey gets tenure in about 2017/18 (hopefully), I think i can talk her into 3-4 weeks down there.

By then you will have probably lured Vitaliy down there and climbed everything in sight.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
  Dec 7, 2014 - 05:04pm PT
Too bad I can't alpine climb

Wojciech Kurtyka just rolled over in his grave.
You got the genes, you could do it! :-)
Karla

climber
Colorado
  Dec 7, 2014 - 05:42pm PT
Better late than never, I'll see you & Angela in a month & 1/2!
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
  Dec 7, 2014 - 06:21pm PT
Sensational, more pictures please!!!
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Dec 7, 2014 - 07:13pm PT
Since Das Donini is likely busy with getting to Chile, let me post a few photos from our wonderful 2013 visit to his Bivy site.






Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber
San Francisco
  Dec 8, 2014 - 10:58am PT
the Third Pillar of Dana isn't going anywhere

How do you know?!

Nice report, thank you for the eye candy!
Larry Nelson

Social climber
  Dec 8, 2014 - 11:22am PT
Hey Fritz,
Thanks for posting the great photos. I remember the Baker River and hiking down near those falls 7 or 8 years ago. Isn't that the river that may be dammed in the near future? Where does that stand now?
limpingcrab

Gym climber
Minkler, CA
  Dec 8, 2014 - 12:00pm PT
So where can I go in Patagonia that has nice predictable weather all season? That's my kind of climbing!
The Larry

climber
  Dec 8, 2014 - 12:05pm PT
Still living the dream. Nice one Jim!
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Dec 8, 2014 - 12:52pm PT
Larry, Re your question:
I remember the Baker River and hiking down near those falls 7 or 8 years ago. Isn't that the river that may be dammed in the near future? Where does that stand now?


Not a dam problem on the Rio Baker for the forseeable future.

Here's the link to the ST thread on the subject from this summer.

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/2426789/WOOHOO-Chile-votes-for-no-dams-on-the-Baker-Aysen-Rivers
melski

Trad climber
bytheriver
  Dec 11, 2014 - 04:07pm PT
Soomme people, are just lucky,and some people just take pictures on nice days,the latitudes do minamize sooomme of the crowds ,which nowadays is more and more of a factor ,thanks for share jim,keep on exploring ,and sharing,,
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Author's Reply  Dec 11, 2014 - 05:55pm PT
We're in Houston waiting to board for Santiago

pretty soon we'll be cooling our heels here....
with this view....
getting ready to climb here...
unfortunately, since it won't be getting dark until 10:30 pm, we'll have to stay up past our normal bedtime.
Oh, I forgot about the fishing...
.and there is the kayaking...
come visit!
Powder

Trad climber
the Box
  Dec 11, 2014 - 05:54pm PT
Thanks for sharing, Mr Donini!! *^_^*

Now I can day dream in this storm... Wait... What storm...!!? : D
Marlow

Sport climber
OSLO
  Dec 12, 2014 - 09:55am PT

Still there's a wild wild world. Thanks for sharing...
Captain...or Skully

climber
Boise, ID
  Dec 12, 2014 - 11:18am PT
I like your spot, Jim. I'll HAFTA get down there sometime. Looks wild!
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