Two days ago the San Martin local resort, Chapelco, received new snow, and according to the locals the conditions are excellent. Thus by mid-morning we were heading over to ski in-bounds and out-bounds!
Before jumping into today's excellent ski day, I will include some additional pictures from Las Leñas that I never had time to post. They are from many different days, but I hope they will provide an insight into the ridiculously great skiing that can be found at Las Leñas and it surrounding backcountry.
These first set is from the incredible place named Valle Hermoso. As I stated in a previous posting, 3200 feet of vertical - WOW!
Guides and clients heading up for the goods. I was helping with the boot packing behing Claudio Margaride.
Views across Valle hermoso, toward the Argentina & Chile border. Notice the active volcano.
Almost ready to drop from a ridge top, to a set of spinal ridges named "Los dedos del Fraile". Impressive views, don't you think?
The first 800 feet of drop were delicious. And it got better further down!
The next picture is from Victor, a ski patroller and a friend from Las leñas.
Valle hermoso tracks ...
A brief pause in the descent for camaraderie ... and for catching our breath on the thin air of the Andes elevation (10-12 K-feet).
The snowcat picking us up for more. However, we took a short break for snacks and Argentinean tea called mate.
The next photos belong to an area in Valle Hermoso called a "Monlito". The snow cat is descending after we were drop at the top of the backcountry ski run.
I wish I can add words to the ski experience at Valle Hermoso. But it is so hard to explain how magnificent is this place.
Next some non-skiing pictures from Las leñas.
Avalanche L2 classroom session at el Domo.
Erik (right), Myself, and a writer for Outside magazine Bridgette from Jackson Hole warming up next to the Asado (BBQ).
Las leñas Ski Patrol resident doctor Eddie (left), and Javi (AVI L2 student).
And finally, pictures from yesterday ski day at Chapelco - northern Patagonia.
Looking to the out of bounds terrain. We will skied later in the day!
Below, pictures from C4. I will be skiing the central line Monday. Come back to the blog for more pictures.
Views of Big Chapelco mountain and backside bowls located behind the resort.
Funny picture below, it shows how much snow Chapelco has.
The Patrulla ski run.
Views of the Chapelco terrain that is not groomed. These back bowls are steep and fun skiing.
The next two pictures, El filo, the top of the Chapelco resort. To the right the resort, and to the left the out of bounds and side-country South bowls.
Cesi (Erik's wife) leaving the resort toward La Pala sidecountry.
Cesi skiing La Pala.
Views from La Pala toward C4 in the background, where I will be skiing Monday.
Erik and Cesi taking a quick pause at La Pala.
Cesi skiing down near the end of the run. The lengas trees and forest are be fun skiing.
More views of C4.
Once we returned back to the resort, we had pizza at a mountain restaurant, with Erik in the first picture, and Cesi in the second.
Chago
