BLOG 19 / Fitzroy & El Chalten

The turn-off from Route 40 is hard to miss, a very strange fish serves as a marker.

After a few kilometers, we have the first view of the Fitz Roy Massif with its main peaks - a rare sight, as we will discover in the next few days due to the clouds.

Ascending the main peaks of Mount Fitzroy (3405 m), Torre (3102 m), T. Egger (2900 m), and Standhart (2800 m) is only possible for professionals - the "easiest" route is considered an extremely difficult climbing route.

Multiday hikes in the area are very popular among young people, with most pedestrians in El Chalten carrying backpacks of varying sizes. As retirees, we only go on two shorter hikes to viewpoints, but unfortunately, "Los Condores" doesn't live up to its name, as we don't see any condors.

With much better weather, we head to the "Mirador del Fitz Roy" the next day, which offers us a wonderful view of the main massif.

The side route from Route 40 cannot be missed, a quite strange big fish is the marker.

After a few kilometers, we have the first view of the Fitz Roy mountains with its main summits - a quite rare opportunity, as we have to recognize due to the clouds in the next days.

Ascent to the peaks of Mount Fitzroy (3405 m), Torre (3102 m), T. Egger (2900 m), and Standhart (2800 m) is definitely restricted to professionals, the "easiest" route is described as extremely difficult climbing routes. Hiking in this region is very popular among young people, mainly the 4 or 8-day circuit tour round the massif. Most of the pedestrians in El Chalten seem to be backpackers with variable dimensions of their rucksacks.

We as retirees just do two short-medium hikes to two viewpoints. Los Condores does not keep what the name promises - no Condor visible. With much better weather the next day, we climb to "Mirador del Fitz Roy" - a beautiful view of the Fitzroy massif.