Your first winter experience.

Introduction to Winter Mountaineering

Your first winter experience.

Introduction to Winter Mountaineering

Winter mountaineering Winter mountaineering Alta Montaña

Your trip starts now...

This introductory winter mountaineering activity is designed to train you in progression techniques, equipment knowledge, and safety principles for safely navigating your first experiences on snowy terrain. On the first day, we'll take advantage of the available snow in the high-mountain area to practice self-arrest in snow with a traverse ice axe and progression techniques with crampons. After the first day of practice, we'll spend the afternoon at the hut for a talk about materials, equipment, and clothing.
On the second day, we'll climb a mountain in the Penitentes area on snowy terrain to apply what we've learned.
Our groups are small so we can provide the optimal amount of time each participant requires to make the most of the learning process during the activity.

You can opt for a multi-day version where we will also climb a mountain of +4000 meters: Winter Challenge + Cerro Pedro Zanni (4178m).

Addressed to:

This climb is intended for people in good physical condition and with trekking experience who wish to experience their first winter ascents with snowy terrain without any other technical difficulties.

Details Details

Next Date: August 16h and 17th

Meeting Place: Mendoza City, in front of the bus station, 9am.

Difficulty: Moderate / High.

Distance / Elevation Gain: 10km / 1100m cumulative.

Requirements: Medically fit with exercise stress test | Good physical condition | Required equipment.

Minimum Group: 2 people.

Includes / Not includes: View full list.

Required personal gear: View fill list.

“Leave no trace.”

During the mountain activity, all waste that came with us returns with us.

Papers, fruit peels, toilet paper, wet wipes, feminine dressings, etc. They can be discarded upon arrival at the shelter or in the destination city upon completion.

Help us keep the mountain clean. Thank you very much!

60/70 liter backpack to carry personal items.
Backpack cover or nylon to waterproof the backpack.
Trekking poles.
Snow Gaiters / Crampons.
Climbing helmet (with size regulation).
Trekking or mountain boots with semi-rigid soles.
Insulating and/or inflatable mat.
Headlamp. Replacement batteries).

Sunglasses or goggles, CAT 4.
Sunscreen factor 60 or higher.
Lip protector.
Personal hygiene elements. Quick drying towel.
Personal first aid kit (band-aids, gauze, adhesive tape, povidone-iodine, 1 pair of disposable gloves, 2 elastic bandages, ibuprofen, sublingual reliveran, loperamide, rehydration salts) and prescription medication if applicable.
Suggestion: 70% alcohol to sanitize your hands.

Two t-shirts (long sleeve/short sleeve).
Diver or fleece jacket or windstopper.
Fine down jacket or synthetic filling.
Expedition down jacket (500gs filling).
Waterproof jacket.
Thermal shoe.
Trekking or fleece pants.
Waterproof pants.
Warm hat, sun cap and buff neck scarf.
A pair of fleece gloves, a pair of waterproof gloves.
Optional: Mittens and/or Mitten Covers.
Crocks (for resting in the shelter).
Two pairs of thin stockings.
Two pairs of thick socks.

Containers to store at least 3 liters. of water per person.
Steel thermos for personal use (at least 500cm3).
Plastic bags to self-manage your waste.
Personal portable charger (powerbank) for camping or shelter days.
Snacks (Ideas: nuts, gummies, cookies, nougats, cereal bars, candies, chocolates, salty snacks, etc.).

After travelling to Puente del Inca and settling into the refuge, we will have a technical briefing on the gear we will be using. After lunch, we will head to Las Cuevas area (3200 meters) to practice using the equipment and take advantage of the higher altitude to facilitate adaptation. Upon returning, we will have another hour of briefings on equipment and recommendations: basics of factors that affect thermoregulation, clothing, and proper use. The rest of the afternoon is free to rest and prepare for the next day. Approximately 4 hours of activity.

We will start the day early with a hearty breakfast. We'll then head to the area where we will begin our day's ascent. We will begin by accessing a gently sloping ravine, gradually gaining altitude until we reach the summit of Cerro Cruz de Caña, where we will have stunning views of Cerro Penitentes and the surrounding mountains. We will take an hour to rest and recharge before heading back to the hut. We will collect whatever we've stored and return to the city of Mendoza to conclude the activity.