Yeap, the picture above has been haunting me since I snapped it last year during my time in Las Leñas -in the Central Andes. I have been studying topo maps for a month now, and the excitement kept me from sleeping last night.

Right now, I am at the Boise Airport ready to leave to visit Argentina and Chile for the third consecutive year teaching avalanche and backcountry ski leadership courses in the Central Andes as well as Northern Patagonia in the Lake District.

It is going to be good to visit San Martin de Los Andes and drink Schneider dark beer over empanadas. Visit Chapelco, Cerro Bayo, and make the always incredible ski trip to Villarica.

Below I will include few amazing views of La Pala side country at Chapelco, me breaking trail, and evidence of how Argentineans wake their friends (snowballs at windows). Last picture from last year is for the crazy drive to the local ski hill - Chapelco Ski Resort.

Since I mentioned Villarica in Chile, here it goes a striking set of pics of this magnificent volcano.

I arrive to Buenos Aires Argentina August 30th, continue flying (from a different airport) to San Rafael. Catch August 31st an early bus, and arriving at Las lenas by by lunch.

September 1st is forecasted to be clear and sunny, and a snowstorm is suppose to clear by then. Thus expect videos for your enjoyment in few days.

Ciao!

Chago