Mountaineering and Climbing in Chile

The purpose of this page is to keep information about activities, expeditions, tours, related to mountains and climbing in Chile.

First North South Crossing of the Southen Patagonian Icefield

Hardwear and Clothing Stores in Chile

First Chilean Ascent of K2

Have a look at Norberto Seebach's photographs

Some Good Climbing Links

Contact the Club Alemán Andino

Lonely Planet Traveller's reports on Chile 


Chilean Altiplano and Volcanoes in northern Chile

Volcán and Laguna Miscanti 
Altiplano, Región de Antofagasta 

The mountains in northern Chile, to which the Altiplano, a high altitude plateau (average at 4000 m) that goes from the Peruvian border down to the area of Ojos del Salado volcano, belongs to, are mainly volcanoes sorrounded by salt lakes and steppe. This area has hundreds of volcanoes, many of them of high altitude. Among them : 


 

Central Andes

Cerros Morado (r.) and San Francisco (l.), 
from Cajón de Morales, Region Metropolitana 
 

The Central Andes is the name given in Chile to the region of the Andes of Chile and Argentina located between La Serena in Chile (Región de Coquimbo) or San Juan in Arg. on the north and Talca on the south (Región del Maule). This area has the more technical climbs of central Chile and is in general of easy access and has also very stable weather during a long season. It offers many summits above 5000 m.s.n.m. Areas of interest : 

 

 Southern Andes

Volcanoes

Volcanoes in Southern Chile are usually easy to access, stand out of the lower Andean range with excellent views and can be climbed without major difficulty, except (*)
    • Planchón - Peteroa
    • Descabezado
    • Longaví
    • Nevados de Chillán
    • Chillán
    • Antuco
    • Sierra Velluda *
    • Copahue
    • Callaqui
    • Tolhuaca
    • Lonquimay
    • Sierra Nevada
    • Llaima
    • Villarrica
    • Quetrupillán
    • Lanín
    • Mocho - Choshuenco
    • Puyehue
    • Antillanca - Casablanca
    • Puntiagudo *
    • Tronador *
    • Osorno
    • Calbuco
    • Yates

 

Volcán Puntiagudo, Región de los Lagos 

Patagonian Andes
 

 Cerro Cristal, Northern Patagonian Ice Field 
Patagonia, Chile 

Patagonia is probably the most famous region of the Andes, but remains still mostly unknown and unexplored, sourrounded by a almost mithical atmosphere. Chile shares this territory with Argentina, but most of the mountains of Patagonia belong to Chile or are on the border. The access though is often much easier through Argentina, with exceptions such as Torres del Paine N.P., the Northern Ice Field or Cordillera Sarmiento. Most of the main summits on the east side of the Andes have been climbed, but many remain unsumitted .

Mountains

Climbing Areas

  • Cerro Catedral
  • Valle de Cochamó, close to Puerto Montt

Sport Climbing

Sport climbing has had an incredible growth in the past years in Chile and many new routes have been set up, mainly around Santiago, where most of the climbers (and the Chileans in general) live. The most known places around Santiago are : (time by car) : 

  • Palestras del Manzano, 20 or more routes, between 5.5 and 5.13, 1 hour
  • Los Domínicos, 8 routes, next to the quarter of Los Domínicos., from 5.8 to 5.11
  • Piedra Rommel, Cajón del Manzano, 1 h, two big boulders with ±10 short routes
  • Torrecillas, 1 h + 2 h walk, routes up to 4 pitches, from 5.9 to 5.12
  • Las Chilcas, 1 h north on Panamericana (km 60), 8 routes from 5.10 to 5.13

The scale most commonly used in Chile is the YDS (Yosemite Decimal Scale) that runs from 5.1 to 5.14d. There aren't any guides of the routes, but local climbers know most of the routes. 
 

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Visit also the Club Alemán Andino, DAV

Arrayan 2735

Providencia Santiago CHILE

Phone : (56-2) 2324338 Tue,Thu 19:30-22:00

© Claudio Seebach / last update 4/4/99 Britannica.com