First winter snow

A fresh high mountain snowfall of late autumn as seen from just south of Mendoza city.

Lagunas de Epulafquen

In the far northwest corner of Neuquén is a provincial preserve of lakes at the base of the Andes mountains. A long drive through the arid dusty roads from the town of Chos Malal made this a very remote place to visit in the middle of summer.

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For at least half the 200km drive south of Malargüe in Mendoza Province, Ruta 40 disintegrates into a mix of broken concrete, dirt and gravel. It is flat, though slow and desolate until crossing into Neuquén.

Cerro Platita

The top of Cerro Platita (13.8K feet) is still low when viewing north to Cerro Plata (19.5K feet).

Weekend backpacking from the Valle de Sol, on the south side of the Cordon del Plata.

San Carlos de Bariloche

Still plenty of snow in the Bariloche mountains, but all warm sunny days.

Cerro Champaquí

Cerro Champaquí of the Sierras de Córdoba during Autumn

Patagonia Lakes of Lanín National Park

Sunset on Volcán Lanín from Lago Quillén

Lago Nonthue from near the top of Cerro Mallo, and one of the many road bridges in the parque.

Another view of the volcán on the way to Lago Tromen

The Road from Potrerillos

on to El Salto for a day hike under the snowy high peaks of the Cordón del Plata.

Spring hits

Cerro Aconcagua (6,960 m)

The now green Uspallata Valley. Last stop before the trip over the andes and onto Santiago Chile.

off piste

Esquí para libre

Used the skins to hike these few tracks outside of the resort. The terrain is endless, including this nearby lower ridge line.

Summer of 2007

I am Back in Argentina.

Myself and nine other random travelers queued up in Mendoza waiting for the pass to clear during a few days of storms. Finally, we pooled our resources and rented a van with driver to make the 6 hour drive to Las Leñas instead of the weather hesitant bus.

Leaving Las Leñas

August 5th - 11th

Well this is certainly the best area in South America. Long steeps, best snow, endless backcountry opportunities. Fully isolated resort surrounded by the mountains. Still everything moves slow, long nights for everyone has the lifts open in stages throughout the morning. Truly on Argentinean time.

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Las Leñas

August 6th

Big mountain, mucha nieve. At least 250cm of fresh. Still we wait for top to be cleared...

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Thermas de Chillan

July 20-22nd

I finally made it to the slopes. It's the biggest area in southern Chile, though there has not been new snow for a week. Packed and groomed, and off trail has soft and solid spots. The most accessible off-piste is a long rolling group of gullies and natural pipes, with occasional short steeps.

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July 13th.

More ruins at the top.

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The peak

July 13th.

5916 meters after 1500m rise. Not very technical, though lots of loose rock. This was our guide Marcelo's 348th trip to the top. Here is Andrew, Marcelo, myself and Chris.

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4am

July 13th.

Started very early after a nutritious 5 minute breakfast of a tortilla and a cliff bar. Marcelo keeps us at steady slow pace through the dark with the occasional pause. The day before I was easily winded at a normal hiking pace.

The sun started to come up over Argentina about 2 hours into the ascent. Both lakes are finally visible together. The top is reached after about 5-5.5 hours.

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Base of volcan

July 12th

A last shot from the base, and salt on the green lake. Tommorow up and out before dawn.

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