At our high point, just below the summit.
After one day of incredible backcountry skiing in the Lago de los Tres area, we were excited for more pow runs in such a beautiful setting.
We got up early, and couldn’t resist heading back to the same powdery slopes we had skied the day before on Cerro Madsen. We toured up toward the col we had reached the day before, and then dropped down the other side towards Fitz Roy. Our goal was to head up towards Punta Velluda, a slightly higher peak closer to Fitz Roy.
Heading up for another day touring powder under Cerro Fitz Roy. Rad!
A dirt hike seems to be a prerequisite to good skiing in Patagonia.
Hiking with Cerro Poincenot in the background.
Skiing through powder!
Skyler heading out for our first run of the day, down the side of Cerro Madsen. Incredible views and great pow. When your camera is barely wide angle enough to catch powder skiing and granite towers in the same photo, you have some good problems!
Coop riding with the Velluda Glacier in the background.
Velluda, unlike Madsen, is heavily glaciated. We stuck to the far right side of the glacier on the way up, avoiding most of the crevasses. We gained the ridge as we neared the summit, and were treated to awesome views of Cerro Electrico, with Glaciar Rio Blanco in between. Nearing the summit, we encountered a final small steep snow slope above some gaping crevasses. The slope was steep, exposed, and obviously wind-loaded. We decided to turn around there rather than risk that last slope. We skied great powder down the side of the glacier, with the requisite astounding views of Fitz Roy.
Starting up the glacier to Velluda.
Continuing up the glacier under some beautiful clouds.
Nearing the summit, we reached this ridge that had incredible views to the next valley, and blasting wind.
Skyler enjoying the snow on the way down.
Excellent snow!
Crossing the lago on the way back to the refugio, at the end of the day.
Upon returning to the refugio, we were excited to find our friend Vicente and a few other Chalten locals. Unfortunately we were out of food so we wouldn’t be able to ski with them the next day. However, they directed us to a good steak restaurant in Chalten. We wished them great powder skiing, and were on our way back to the car (and to a steak consumption session).
Louie Dawson earned his Bachelor Degree in Industrial Design from Western Washington University in 2014. When he’s not skiing Mount Baker or somewhere equally as snowy, he’s thinking about new products to make ski mountaineering more fun and safe.
