Our high camp on San Valentin, Patagonia | Soren Kruse Ledet
Our high camp on San Valentin, Patagonia  | Soren Kruse Ledet
San Valentin in Patagonia  | Soren Kruse Ledet
Ascending towards San Valentin in Patagonia.  | Soren Kruse Ledet
Ascending with our loaded sleds towards San Valentin in Patagonia  | Soren Kruse Ledet
The stunning setting of our lodge at General Carrera Lake

San Valentin Expeditionwith Soren Kruse Ledet

A rare opportunity to climb the highest peak in Patagonia

15 Days from

$7790 USD

Trip Code: PSV
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement Tent only
$330 USD

Duration

  • 15 Days

Activities

  • 10 day trek/mountaineering

Accommodation

  • 4 nights lodge
  • 10 nights camping

Meals

  • 14 Dinners
  • 15 Lunches
  • 14 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

10 / 10

Advanced Mountaineering Expedition

Technical Grading  

Difficult

Trip highlights

  • Climb San Valentin (4058m) - the highest mountain in Patagonia
  • Haul a sled across the extraordinary Northern Patagonian Ice Cap
  • Take a helicopter onto the ice cap
  • Climb in one of the world's great alpine environments
  • Undertake a tremendous climb in the remote, impressive Northern Patagonian Ice Field

Overview

World Expeditions are excited to announce an expedition to Mount San Valentin (4058m) - the highest peak in Patagonia. The location of San Valentin in the middle of the impressive Northern Patagonian Ice Field makes it a tremendous climb in one of the world's most remote and spectacular alpine environments. San Valentin is a serious expedition, with the likelihood of extreme weather, heavy loads to be carried and sled pulling required to access high camp. This expedition is for the highly motivated mountaineer, experienced with cold weather conditions, looking to make a summit attempt on this highly sought after mountain in a truly special alpine wilderness.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

On arrival at the Balmaceda airport, you will be met by our local representative who will share the journey with you. We have a long drive ahead of us, down the Austal road to Puerto Guadal, so it is important you arrive no later than 12:00*. The drive will take us by Coyhaique, the capital of the Aysen region. If time allows, we will make a stop at the La Capilla de Marmol (the marble chapel) which is a magnificent marble cave, sculpted over eons by wind and water, set on the emerald green to turquoise blue waters of the General Carrera Lake. The lake is shared by Argentina and Chile, the fourth largest and largest in each respectively. We will spend the night at a charming lodge, which has a spectacular view of the lake and partake our first Patagonian dinner together as a group. *Note: Due to flight schedules it may be necessary for an additional night pre tour in Balmaceda/Coyhaique and we can help you book these additional arrangements. Overnight Terra Luna lodge.

Meals: L,D

Full day of preparation and expedition briefing at our lodge on the shores of Lake General Carrera. The lodge with its northwest orientation, more than 400m of beach and an extraordinary view of the lake and surrounding mountains, is the perfect base for our preparations. Overnight Terra Luna lodge.

Meals: B,L,D

While the group makes its way to Lake Leones peninsula via jet boat & zodiac, a helicopter transports loads to Campo Italiano, and then a short ride on the helicopter to Campo Italiano. We set the camp with a fantastic panorama on the East side of the Northern icecap mountain range. Overnight camping

Meals: B,L,D

Cross the icecap using snow shoes to reach Raton camp. We first have to climb 200m on a snow slope with crevasses to get to the pass that leads to the icefield. Once in this spectacular alpine environment we descend 200m and begin a long traverse (11kms) to reach a rocky ridge with an extraordinary view on the ice cap. A long day of about 8 hours on the ice cap, sharing the work of pulling a sled and carrying your full pack, before establishing camp for the evening, which generally takes about 2 hours, depending on the conditions. Overnight camping

Meals: B,L,D

Climb to Terrace Camp. A steady climb of about 500m to a pass between Mount Tobler and Fiero with extraordinary views of the Northern Patagonian Icefield with Mount San Valentin in the background. We camp just below the pass in front of the mountain. Again, crossing the Ice Cap involves pulling a sled and using snow shoes and this will take some time getting used to for those unfamiliar with the process. We will assist you in rigging your sled and demonstrating the various techniques for using snow shoes on glaciated terrain. Overnight camping

Meals: B,L,D

Long traverse of about 9km on a steady incline to set our camp at the base of San Valentin. We are now above 3000m, so pulling a sled and carrying a heavy pack will feel more exhausting at this altitude. But we have arrived at the base of San Valentin, and from here will launch our bid for the summit. Overnight camping

Meals: B,L,D

This is the most serious part of the expedition. Summit day involves a long traverse on an exposed ridge, steep at parts up to 45 degrees, with high winds common. After 2-3hrs on the ridge we finally reach the summit plateau which leads slowly to the summit mushroom that we have to climb to reach the summit. We then need to recount our steps back to high camp, a long and exhausting day of 12+hrs of continuous climbing. 3 contingency days set aside in the case of poor weather. Sleds and snow shoes are not used on summit day, but rather traditional climbing gear. Overnight camping

Meals: B,L,D

Return to Raton Camp via the same route we took earlier in the expedition. Overnight camping

Meals: B,L,D

Return to Italian Camp via the same route we took earlier in the expedition. Overnight camping

Meals: B,L,D

Helicopter flight to Peninsula to get down to Terra Luna (with zodiac and jet boat or cars), while equipment is sent directly to the lodge by helicopter. Overnight camping

Meals: B,L,D

Rest and reorganisation day. Depending on the conditions, we may use this day earlier in the trip as a contingency/weather day. If we are in Terra Luna, you may like to spend some well earned time in the sauna and spa at the lodge. Overnight Terra Luna lodge.

Meals: B,L,D

After a hearty breakfast, we will journey by road to Balmaceda, stopping for lunch on the way. We recommend an afternoon flight given Terra Luna Lodge is located 290 km south of Balmaceda Airport (approx. 4-5 hours). Depending on flight schedules it may be necessary for an additional night post tour in Balmaceda/Coyhaique and we can help you book these additional arrangements. Our trip concludes on arrival to Balmaceda.

Meals: B,L

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • 14 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 14 dinners
  • World Expeditions mountaineering guide and local leader
  • Helicopter on and off the icecap
  • Comfortable lodge (twin sharing) at Terra Luna
  • All internal ground transport
  • Airport transfers
  • All national park and site entry fees
  • Group medical kit
  • Two person (twin sharing) tents and group camping equipment
  • All food and cooking equipment while on the mountain (prepared by individual group members)
  • Snow shoes, sleds, shovels, tents, radios, GPS

Not included

  • Internal flights
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Bottle water, aerated and alcoholic beverages
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
  • Tips
  • International airfares and departure taxes
  • Visa
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal climbing gear (boots, ice axe, harness etc)
  • Sleeping bag, sleeping mattress, down jacket
  • Any and all costs associated with leaving the expedition early or any changes to the itinerary as described

About your guide

Soren Kruse Ledet is a high altitude mountain guide based in Australia. For the past 25 years he has led and participated in more than 60 mountaineering expeditions and challenging treks in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Tibet. In 2011, Soren reached 27,500 ft during an unassisted ascent of Everest. Soren has successfully summitted Ama Dablam 4 times and has led expeditions to Cholatse, Baruntse, Teng Kangpoche, Muztagh Ata and Peak Lenin among many others. His easygoing nature and professionalism make him a sought after guide.

Adventure Highlighted Video

Cuerna de Plata: Mountaineering in Patagonia | World Expeditions

Responsible travel

Extra trip info

Guaranteeing A Great Chile Trip

Pioneering World Firsts

Quality equipment

Quality accommodations

Innovative itineraries

Custom built, reliable transport

Our all inclusive approach

Multi Award Winning Adventures

Thoughtful Travel

Adventure Experts Since 1975