Logo
    Show
    Hide
    Login
    Close

    SITE LOGIN

    • Forgot your password?

    Register

    New Ski Touring Maps and Guides
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
        • Skis
        • Boots
        • Bindings
        • Climbing Skins
        • Poles
        • Snowboards
      • Clothing
        • Hard Shells
        • Soft Shells
        • Insulation
        • Mid Layers
        • Base Layers
        • Gloves
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Safety Gear
        • Goggles and Helmets
        • Ski Touring Packs
        • Ski Boxes and Bags
        • Sleeping Bags - 4 Season
        • Technology
        • Sunglasses
        • Insoles & Braces
        • Books
      • Off-Season Gear
        • Hiking
          • Rain Shells
          • Day Packs
          • Apparel
          • Footwear
          • Safety
        • Camping
          • Backpacks
          • Sleeping Bags
          • Sleeping Pads
          • Tents
          • Coolers / Cooking
          • Furniture / Storage
          • Lighting / Power
        • Biking
        • Paddling
        • Climbing
        • Mountaineering
        • Running
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
        • Alpine Touring Boots
        • Backcountry Skis
        • Alpine Touring Bindings
        • Backcountry Accessories
        • Off-Season Gear
        • Climbing Skins
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Off-Season Gear
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us

    HOTTEST REVIEWS


    Elan Ripstick 106 Black Edition Skis Dynafit Free 107 Skis Ortovox Diract Voice Transceiver Burton Straight Chuter Splitboard Scarpa 4-Quattro XT Boots Atomic Backland Carbon Boots Plum OAZO Bindings

    VIDEOS YOU'LL LIKE


    Avalanche Transceivers 101 Dalbello Quantum Boots How To Buy a Transceiver North Face FUTURELIGHT Jacket Faction La Machine Skis Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro Boots Plum OAZO Bindings

    NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

    Unsubscribe
    avalanche canada
    backcountry skiing utah
    Rivers Ocean and Mountains
    • Home
    • »
    • Forum
    • »
    • Other talk
    • »
    • General Talk
    • »
    • Boat Access Only Backcountry Skiing Argentina Style

    FORUMS

    Here’s your chance to tell everyone about everything and anything to do with backcountry skiing. Follow the simple steps to register and WHAMMY, you’re in. If you are pulling your hair out with frustration, have a look at the help forums for answers or take a pause and drop us an email at: info (at) backcountryskiingcanada.com. We’ll do our best to help out as soon as we can (but all bets are off on a powder day, obviously).  


    Boat Access Only Backcountry Skiing Argentina Style

    • RSS
    • Subscribe
    • paul s
      2022-10-12 16:00:28

      Boat Access Only Backcountry Skiing Argentina Style

      As the Spring Equinox neared here in Southern Argentina, my local friend Alfonso had the crazy idea to explore some peaks by boat! It sounded like an adventure that none of us could  say no to so 6 of us departed from the city before sunrise to meet the boat owner on Lago Khami (118km long and situated in Chile and Argentina). As most know, Patagonia is infamous for its wind, and that morning the lake was whipped up to two-meter waves, making a zodiac crossing somewhat interesting and definitely fun. 

      Our home base for the two nights was a cabaña on the beach (great for an ice plunge swim after each long day’s summit) that is powered by its own small hydroelectric wheel on the nearby river. 

      There was no snow at lake level this late in the season so we decided to spend the first afternoon hiking some gear 7 km up the valley to the snow line, leaving behind our backcountry gear ,including our ski/snowboard boots so next morning we would be light and fast to begin a summit day.  We ended the day in typical Argentinian fashion, with an asado (meat cooked outside on an open fire). 

      We were on the trail early the next morning and were greeted by beautiful sunshine, albeit a bit warm in ski gear. Once we reached our gear we donned our boots and put on our skins and as we began the summit the weather changed rapidly as Ullr blessed us with a snowstorm. The blowing snow made the visibility so low that we decided to dig a snow cave in a cornice and eat lunch and sip mate (another Argentinian tradition) while we waited for a weather window (la Ventana).  Within 2 hours the sun was peaking through the summit clouds, so after digging a few CT and PST snow pits we pushed on to the summit and wow, were we in for a treat of a view!  The skies cleared to that Azul blue that you only seem to see from mountain peaks and we could see all the way to the Pacific Ocean in Chile.  The brief storm had deposited 10 cms of coldsmoke that made the skiing as beautiful as the views. 

      Skiing ArgentinaSkiing Argentina

      Day 3 turned into the biggest adventure of the trip as we decided to take the Zodiac across the lake to try and ski a face that stared at us from our cabañas windows. We found a beach where we could offload the gear and ourselves without getting wet and began the long walk through old growth forest to the snowline. We were able to follow the Guanaco (like a Llama) paths thru the forest as they definitely take the path of least resistance. Once again at the snowline we switched to skins and boards to reach the icy summit. The lines on the backside of the summit were endless and incredible but we had to be back at the lakeshore well before dark (called the zodiac owner on the VHF radio to set the rendezvous) so we skied a wide open face into a steep avalanche chute to the old growth forest. The snow was hard-packed and icy with some soft sections but nonetheless, it was a fantastic run due to the views and the entire adventure. Back in the boat all full of smiles and tired legs we watched the sun set on the lake as we headed back to our vehicles and civilization after three days I will never forget. 

      Skiing ArgentinaSkiing ArgentinaSkiing ArgentinaSkiing Argentina

      PS: for those who have not heard of the beaver problem here on the Island of Tierra Del Fuego: the Argentinian government had the idea to import Canadian beavers in the mid 1900s to create a fur trade and what an ecological disaster it was and still is. The beavers here have no predators so they have destroyed massive swaths of forests and there are even “Alpine Beavers” that live off just grass and shrubs. Seeing tiny beaver dams in the alpine is very odd indeed. 

      Skiing ArgentinaSkiing Argentina



    We built this backcountry skiing community for you, the passionate skier, and hope you enjoy the hard work we put into all the reviews, routes, videos, and posts we create. It’s been free from day one but that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable resource. If you enjoy this website and value the content we create for you, then please support Backcountry Skiing Canada by donating today or by clicking on those sponsor ads and 'Buy Now' links at the bottom of the reviews. Thank you!

    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022-23 Backcountry Skiing Canada. All Rights Reserved.