Refugio Plantat, Volcan San Jose, Chile
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:51 pm
About a week ago I finally made it into Cajon Maipo, a beautiful and extensive canyon that goes into the mountains south of Santiago. The canyon forks into three different roads, the southmost of which takes you to the little town of Baños Morales. Morales is the main trailhead for Cerro El Morado, Volcan San Jose, and Marmolejo (the southernmost 6000m peak in the world!). I was with my friend Chopo Diaz. Our plan was to camp at the Refugio Plantat (located partway up the volcano), rise early the next morning and ski one or two lines on the facing ridge, a feast of couloirs and steeps. Unfortunately, we awoke at 6 to pure whiteout fog. And at 7, and 8 and so on till we bailed at noon. A boring trip from a skiing standpoint, but the environment and the potential are mind blowing.
On the way up we stopped by our buddy Christian's outpost. He runs a business with his snowmobiles, both guiding clients and providing some of the mines in the area access to their projects when snow cuts the road. Chile has virtually zero regulation on where you can ride a snowmachine, so these guys are having a pretty damn good time up there for now.
I'm writing from Santiago. I basically moved out of Farellones yesterday cause there is NO SNOW. Season is almost over. Heading south to Termas de Chillan and Pucon for my last two weeks in the country. Home to Seattle on the 30th!
The view of the volcano from near Baños Morales. Super duper low snow year.
Mad Max type shit at Christian's spot.
House.
Shortly after departing the car we met a curious Zorro. He tried to steal Chopo's ski pole.
Snomobiles are nice for the miles of flats that aren't skiable in either direction.
The refuge! We dropped some gear here and headed up higher for an evening shred.
Weird snow in the Andes.
Higher still, only 7,000' left to the top! But we gave up somewhere around here.
Prospective ski zone for the next day were the chutes on the left, Loma Larga is the big ass mountain in the back.
Sunset stoke session. El Morado is the L facing cliff the next valley back.
Seeking refuge.
And a long ski down out of the clouds to the car.
Ciao weones.
On the way up we stopped by our buddy Christian's outpost. He runs a business with his snowmobiles, both guiding clients and providing some of the mines in the area access to their projects when snow cuts the road. Chile has virtually zero regulation on where you can ride a snowmachine, so these guys are having a pretty damn good time up there for now.
I'm writing from Santiago. I basically moved out of Farellones yesterday cause there is NO SNOW. Season is almost over. Heading south to Termas de Chillan and Pucon for my last two weeks in the country. Home to Seattle on the 30th!
The view of the volcano from near Baños Morales. Super duper low snow year.
Mad Max type shit at Christian's spot.
House.
Shortly after departing the car we met a curious Zorro. He tried to steal Chopo's ski pole.
Snomobiles are nice for the miles of flats that aren't skiable in either direction.
The refuge! We dropped some gear here and headed up higher for an evening shred.
Weird snow in the Andes.
Higher still, only 7,000' left to the top! But we gave up somewhere around here.
Prospective ski zone for the next day were the chutes on the left, Loma Larga is the big ass mountain in the back.
Sunset stoke session. El Morado is the L facing cliff the next valley back.
Seeking refuge.
And a long ski down out of the clouds to the car.
Ciao weones.