silence valley patagonia.

Info for climbers who want to go on their own.

introduction.

Coming to Patagonia to climb is an expensive endeavor which also takes time and planning.  We are are also climbers, so we understand and want to offer this information to help make the planning and logistics easier.  And hopefully save you money and time too!

insurance.

Get rescue insurance coverage in case of accident.  The insurance is required in order to climb.

climbing permits in Torres del Paine.

Climbing permits in torres del paine are free, all you need to do is a little paperwork, at it’s yours:

First, you need to get a DIFROL permit (La Dirección Nacional de Fronteras y Límites del Estado Chile) while still in your country.  You can do it online here: http://www.difrol.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=12&Itemid=27.  From the Expedition link, click on “formulario expedicion” and fill in the form.  We recommend you do this at least 3 months before you want to climb.

Once you get to Puerto Natales, Chile you have to take 2 photocopies of your passport and a copy of your rescue insurance to the Administration Office for Torres del Paine and present these papers at the Ranger Administration for National Park Torres del Paine (CONAF).  After you do this, you are ready and allowed to climb.

tips.

Your climbing permit expires three months after issuance.  Also, keep in mind that in every Valley within Torres del Paine, there is a different sub-administration for the Park.  If your permit says that you only intend to climb the Paine Towers in the Silence Valley, but afterwards you want to move to another valley (eg. French Valley), you will need a permit for that valley as well.  The ranger for that other valley will not allow you to climb because your permit only authorizes your climb in the valley listed on your permit.  The ranger will force you to leave and go to the administration office again for a new permit.  That will suck so plan ahead if you think you may want to climb in more than one valley.

So, when you fill out your permit application, put every valley you may possibly want to explore, for stay longest you can (3 months), and then you can move and climb freely throughout the Park.

Also do not lose the permit. If you lose it, you will have to get a new one all over again.

Note: in Torres del Paine there is no ability for helicopter rescue unless you have insurance coverage.

porters.

Many of the areas for climbing involve a long approach/lengthy hiking.  You may need to carry your climbing gear for a considerable distance.  If you are comfortable climbing without a guide and only want a porter to assist with carrying gear, SvPatagonia can help you find a porter a a reasonable price.  Contact us.

logistics.

We can plan everything you need about logistics for your climbing expedition.  Contact us for more info…

weather.

The weather in Patagonia can be unpredictable and can change on a moments notice.  We have found the most accurate weather predictor to be an online tool called NOAA (National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration) http://ready.arl.noaa.gov/READYcmet.php  but is only reliable for about  3 or 4 days.

In order to use NOAA, click on the link above.  Then, start with the Latitude and Longitude (L&L).  The L&L for climbing the Paine Towers is -51.03 and -73.10.  Click Continue.  From the READY Program Options Menu, on the METEOROGRAM drop down menu select “0-192h, 3hrly, Global.”  Then click on Go.  At the next screen called Meteorological Forecast Cycle just click next. Then, on the GFS Meteorogram page, go to “Fields to Plot” and select on “Default with Winds” and for “Plot text below wind flags” select “Speed and Direction.”  Leave the rest as it is.  Then, scroll down to the bottom of the page and enter the access code in the blue box area and click GET METEOROGRAM.

From the Meteorogram Page you are set and ready to INTERPRET the meteorological data (precipitation, wind, temperature, dew point and barometric pressure).

topos (routes).

Coming soon… information on the best populars routes.

other logistical tips for climbers.

1. To reach Torres del Paine, you can either fly into Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, Chile.  Sky Airline flies direct to Puerto Natales, but only in the high season.

2. There are lots of affordable hostels in Puerto Natales.   The prices range from $14-$30 USD per night with breakfast.  In the high season, we highly recommend making a reservation.

3. The bus to Torres del Paine costs 15.000 Chilean Pesos, round trip.  The Park entrance fee is 15.000 Chilean Pesos.

4.  Contact us for advice on gear to bring and where you can rent.

5. If you are spending a few days in Punta Arenas beforehand, buy your groceries there.  It costs less.  In Puerto Natales, there is one large supermarket and one smaller one near the center of town.  You can also get vegetables and fruits at smaller stores (fruterias) around town at a lower price than the supermarket.

6. Cost of things in Chile.  Most people think Chile will be dirt cheap for food and those sorts of things.  Most people are surprised to learn that food costs approximately the same amount as in the United States.  Be prepared to spend what you normally spend in the U.S. on food and other things.  \

7. Good news. Wine in Chile is much cheaper than the U.S., so drink up!  (but not while climbing)

There are many affordable hostels in Puerto Natales if you are looking for a nice, clean, social and economical place to stay for your base before ad after the park.  Contact us for recommendations.  We can also recommend hotels in the area if you have more money to spend.

rock climbing around puerto natales and punta arenas.

Patagonia and in particular the Magallanes region is a virtual playground for rock climbers.  In addition to Torres del Paine, there are many places for climbing around Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas.  Contact us for more information.

in Puerto Natales, there are 3 playground to do sport climbing, laguna sofia, cerro dorotea y cueva del milodon.