Parque Arqueológico Colomichicó

In the northwest corner of Neuquén Province, in the town of Varvarco, is a well marked hiking trail to reach the Colomichicó archeological park.

The 6km trail ends at a height of 1800 meters where many petroglyphs are found, which were left by the native Pehuenche 1500 years ago.

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.

Cordon del Plata

Piedras Grandes at 3550m is the last stop before the high peaks.


The Las Veguitas meadows. In the summer very green and a popular valley to tent before hiking the region. The entire Cordon del Plata is important for acclimatization and training by providing accessible 4000-5900 meter peaks.

Zapala

Mesa land formations in northern Patagonia province of Neuquén.

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.

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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Volcán Licancábur

July 10th

The prominent sight from town. Tommorow I`ll head into Boliva and stop at Laguna Verde, before an early rise to the top (5,916 m). It`s a prix fix tour, so I`m headed to the bar in search of others to split the cost.

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