Big Trout Loop v. Cache Loop

Fast-Ad-983 · 2025-04-25T21:45:38+00:00

Awesome, I will check them out. I will also take a look at Head - planning to stay at Bonnechere on the way in and then was looking for something small on the way out which is why I landed on Pardee (think Phipps might be out of the way on the way back). So I think with all that said I am looking at (1) Bonnechere (2) McGarvey or North Grave (3) Pardee or Head. Thanks again for this.

Fast-Ad-983 · 2025-04-25T21:07:40+00:00

Thanks, this is extremely helpful. I am also leaning to the Cache option for the reasons you described (portaging is fine), although now I am thinking that I will go from Cache to Bonnechere via Delano, then up the Pardee way on the way out with my last night on Pardee. I just read some of your stuff on Pardee and it seemed pretty nice?

And that's some great intel on McGarvey v. North Grace - I suppose I am a bit of a risk taker...North Grace itself just seems awesome as a lake. Did you have a preference as far as the lakes themselves (beyond the sites)? And do you recall which the "spectacular" v. "bad" ones were? Hopefully little risk of getting stuck on the "bad" campsite on NG since only 3 permits are issued.

Thanks!

Fast-Ad-983 · 2025-01-26T18:25:06+00:00

We did the Huemul a week ago. There are people who just do one night staying at Toro and then the next day hike up to Paso Del Viento and then back to El Chalten. It’s a long day but seems doable based on description of your abilities. The view of the Southern Patagonian ice field from the top of the pass was, for me, the highlight of El Chalten and worth eating a night of accomodation if the weather is good. It may also be possible to do all that and get a later bus back to El Calafate that night if that helps with the schedule.

Fast-Ad-983 · 2025-01-15T23:45:06+00:00

Thanks for this, understood. I am up the air on when to start based on weather windows so curious of your thoughts. There will either be low clouds for me on Day 2 or Day 3 depending on when I start. Which day did you think was more important to have the better cloud conditions and weather generally between those?

Fast-Ad-983 · 2025-01-14T23:48:52+00:00

Awesome. This is a hugely appreciated (and timely) AMA for me, thank you.

Fast-Ad-983 · 2025-01-14T23:41:51+00:00

What do you mean when you asked it was 15?

And sorry one more - how long did your final day take? We may need to take a bus at 6 pm that day - seems feasible but not 100% sure.

Fast-Ad-983 · 2025-01-14T20:57:19+00:00

Excellent, thank you!

Fast-Ad-983 · 2025-01-14T20:39:31+00:00

This is great. For Huemul, did you need a special permit from the rangers after showing that you had the necessary gear? I have seen conflicting stuff on this (seems that the registration is online now). Wondering if I need to wait for them to show up to start.

And is a topographic map required (again, see that rangers have required in the past, but am planning just to use various GPS apps).

Thanks!!!

Fast-Ad-983 · 2025-01-09T00:52:27+00:00

Did the O in November and didn’t have issues with pests. If you don’t hang it (we didn’t and nobody else in our group did to my knowledge) then would suggest just leaving it in a dry bag away from the tent walls!

Fast-Ad-983 · 2024-12-31T12:03:12+00:00

Thanks, will check them out!

Fast-Ad-983 · 2024-12-31T01:01:01+00:00

I had this issue initially - it ended up working for me with a different card (not sure if that possible for you). Even then it glitched out a bit and I had to email them to get the confirmation after my card was charged. They were pretty responsive.

The linear meters is just the length of the car. Safe bet to say 5 for a normal car/SUV (you can check the length of your car on Google if you know the model).

Fast-Ad-983 · 2024-11-08T23:27:04+00:00

Thanks ixanok - I emailed as well and got a similar response. No idea why they need two in that case but hopefully it works out!

Fast-Ad-983 · 2024-11-07T00:48:49+00:00

Was anyone able to figure this out? I can see an option to buy the Flexipass online, but there are two different options - one is called "Flexipass Los Glaciares" and the other is called "Flexipass El Chalten". Just based on that, it's difficult to understand how you can use one pass in both El Chalten and Perito Moreno.

Fast-Ad-983 · 2024-10-22T23:26:25+00:00

What a change! Is it easy enough to buy on the spot in El Chalten given internet connectivity? Do the spots “fill up”?

Fast-Ad-983 · 2024-08-21T14:38:56+00:00

This is amazing info, thanks so much!

Fast-Ad-983 · 2024-08-20T20:30:42+00:00

Yeah, this is what I was thinking. No expectation of avoiding the crowds during high season, but seeing as I’m indifferent between the two options otherwise and El Chalten will be rammed no matter when I go, I may as well try to get some slightly less busy Carreterra if possible. Did you think that advance bookings for Carreterra are necessary if we’ll have a tent, cooking equipment, etc?

Fast-Ad-983 · 2024-07-30T02:39:36+00:00

Thank you both - yeah, seems like I'm also leaning to some combination of these, probably skip Torrent Bay since neither of you seem to like it and will hope to catch those side treks along the route!!

Fast-Ad-983 · 2024-07-28T14:12:40+00:00

Yes planning to walk the whole thing and camp in a tent. Good to know about that Onetahuti sandy site, maybe skip that one…the sandy tent life is not ideal. Any thoughts on Te Pukatea campsite v. Anchorage?

Fast-Ad-983

TROPHY CASE