Marconi - Pollone - Cuadrado
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 22.61 mi
- Elevation gain
- 8,333 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 8,110 ft
- Max elevation
- 5,951 ft
- TrailRank
-
83
5
- Min elevation
- 1,477 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- 2 days 3 hours 29 minutes
- Coordinates
- 4827
- Uploaded
- November 27, 2016
- Recorded
- February 2014
near El Chaltén, Santa Cruz (Argentina)
Viewed 12828 times, downloaded 401 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
The base for excursions in this valley is the old Piedra del Fraile, so called because of a huge rock occupying the middle of the valley near the place where the Italian priest and explorer Alberto de Agostini build his shelter. Now the name has changed to Refugio los Troncos. You are expected to visit the Refugio since the whole area is private property of Estancia Ricanor. and you pay the fee for your stay at the Refugio. If you eat and/or camp at the Refugio the fee is automatically included in the price.
The walk to Glaciar Marconi is interesting, neither demanding nor tiresome, except maybe for some rocky stretches that force an uneasy walk. As usual in Patagonia, the serious difficulty may come from the fording of the side rivers, here the one flowing down from Laguna Pollone. I met a guide with his clients coming from the loop on the Hielo Sur, and he readily asked me about the condition of the river, which that day was fine.
Going past the point reached by me on the glacier without a rope and ice gear is not possible or, at least, not recommended. The glacier itself is also known for its huge crevasses.
The side tour to Laguna Pollone is short and very valuable. The site looks truly remote and is very panoramic. Pollone is the name of the village in Piemonte (the Italian region around Torino) where De Agostini was born.
The climb to Paso del Cuadrado lies totally at another level, both for the altitude gain and for the panorama. I had the luck to do it in a memorable perfect day, and from the pass I even climbed, as far as possible, the jagged north ridge, descending then, as far as possible, the scree slopes which occupy a terrace high over Valle Pollone.
The more demanding Cerro Eléctrico, which shares much of its access route with the Paso del Cuadrado, is covered in a separate track, namely N. 15628173
Waypoints
Bridge
Intersection
Waypoint
1,799 ft
Piedra del Fraile
The hill giving name to the location: "stone of the priest", referring to Alberto De Agostini, who was the first to explore the valley.
Waypoint
1,860 ft
Shore of Lago Eléctrico
Not a comfortable stretch to walk, because of potentially slippery rock.
Panorama
2,004 ft
Mirador Lago Eléctrico
Not an official mirador, but the sight on the lake is nice. The fork to Laguna Pollone follows immediately.
Lake
River
2,026 ft
Glaciar Marconi 1
Marked is the point where Río Eléctrico originates from the glacier. A very hostile spot.
Waypoint
2,286 ft
Glaciar Marconi 2
Marked is the highest point that is reached on the glacier - always remaining in its dirty section. Very unpleasant spot.
Waypoint
1,813 ft
Start of ascent
Wilderness hut
3,386 ft
Huge stone
Can be also used as an emergency shelter, although the comfort is seemingly very limited.
Mountain pass
5,707 ft
Paso del Cuadrado
It is a magic moment when the view opens on the Glaciar Fitzroy Norte, framed by the Torre and Pollone groups.
Waypoint
5,840 ft
Connecting ridge
Waypoint
5,675 ft
Little saddle
Panorama
5,951 ft
Fantagonia
This is the point where I shot the "Fantagonia" 360° panorama which is given as first photo.
Waypoint
5,354 ft
Pollone cairn
This is the name that I gave to this cairn after building it, since it lies in front of the Pollone group and glacier, and at the same time it dominates Laguna Pollone.
Campsite
4,886 ft
Camping spot
Presumably Piedra Negra, although I am not sure if this is the orthodox spot, due to the presence of many shelters.
Mountain hut
1,763 ft
Refugio Los Troncos
It is a pity that the staff of Estancia Ricanor, owners of the valley (yes, I know, this is unbelievable to civilized ears, but this is Argentina...) died not maintain the original name Piedra del Fraile.
Comments (12)
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Description: http://www.panorama-photo.net/panorama.php?pid=2079 https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/marconi-pollone-cuadrado-15623353#wp-15623374/photo-9742227
Larger: https://goo.gl/5uSwL2 https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/marconi-pollone-cuadrado-15623353#wp-15623374/photo-9742227
Hi, just a question: how difficult is between laguna Pollone and Glaciar Marconi? Thank you!
There are no special difficulties. Guides coming with clients from the Hielo Sur asked me if the water flowing from the Pollone valley was deep, but this was not the case... However, if they asked, this means that sometimes it is.
In the next days I will add also a text to the track.
Cheers, Alberto.
Hola Alberto.. A demás de piedra de fraile, que otros puntos para acampar hay? Me parece que en la playita por lo que vi en tus fotos. Saludos
El viento corre muy fuerte en esa playa y el lugar no es publico, no se puede acampar en cualquier lado
Hi dear friend
You have recorded a wonderful path
Please also visit my page and comment
Thanks a lot
Hola Alberto! Increibles las fotos que mostras! En una semana voy a estar en el Chalten y uno de los recorridos que me gustaria realizar se parece mucho a lo que hiciste. Cuantos días tardaste en completar este circuito?
Muchas gracias por compartirlo!
Tres días para Marconi y Cuadrado:
1) Chaltén - Laguna Pollone
2) Laguna Pollone - Glaciar Marconi - Piedra del Fraile
3) Paso del Cuadrado
Después otro día para
4) Cerro Eléctrico, http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=15628173
Alberto, estamos armando un sitio web sobre Trekking en El Chaltén y me gustaría agregar algunas de tus fotos, es posible? Desde ya, muchas gracias!
Chalten_2
Chalten_1
Es necesario crampones? Entiendo que para piedra negra no