South America, Argentine-Chilean Patagonia, Crossing of the Northern Patagonian Icecap and Cerro Largo, 1985

Publication Year: 1987.

Crossing of the Northern Patagonian Icecap and Cerro Largo, 1985. In November and December of 1985 American Bonnie Schwahn and Chileans Gino Casassa and I were on the Northern Patagonian Icecap (Hielo Continental Norte). We made the crossing of the icecap in 17 hours round-trip. It was the first east-to-west traverse, the first on cross-country skis and the first crossing in one day. We started on November 29, 1985 from our small tent on the eastern side of the Soler and Nef Glaciers. We arrived at midday at the snow line below the San Quintin Glacier on the Pacific side. After a short rest, we began the return and after 17 hours and a 58-kilometer trip were back at our tent that night. Two days after the crossing, on December 1, 1985, we climbed “Pico Naranja” (2700 meters, 8858 feet), one of the summits of Cerro Largo. We climbed on skis and made a telemark descent.

Rodrigo Mújica, Chilean Section of the Club Alpino Italiano