TURBIO IV
The Lost Valley
The Argentinian Andes south of Bariloche are one of the most unexplored mountainous regions of South America. The glaciated peaks possess some of the largest granite walls in America, and many of them have never been climbed, or even photographed. The valleys are populated by a dense and lush rainforest riddled with bamboo and gorgeous birdsong. Giant alerces, massive trees related to redwoods, grow from the valley floors––and even straight from the granite. These impressive old ones host beautiful micro-ecosystems of wildflowers and mosses.
Nowhere else on earth do you have such a wild contrast between the stark, uninhabitable world of the glacier cut walls rising straight out of lush native jungle. It is otherworldly, enchanting, and provides endless possibilities for adventure. This is our secret place.
The cultural aspect is not left aside, the locals inhabitants of the main valley are welcoming, keen to show their life style to the visitors. They produce most of their tools, furniture and food in their communities. Once in the Turbio IVvalley the closest living person is far away. It’s pure wilderness.
Located about 60 km south west of the town of Lago Puelo, Argentina, the valley of Rio Turbio IV is an untouched paradise that has only been explored by the occasional intrepid climber or adventurous backpacker. Two hours south of Bariloche, Lago Puelo and El Bolsón are beautiful mountain towns close to the Northern boundary of Patagonia.
Season
January to March
Difficulty
High
Duration
10 Days to 20 Days
Meeting point
Bariloche
Backpack
20 kg
Trekking
Previous exp
Overnight
Huts and tent
Transfer
Included
Mountaineering
Scrambling
Glacier walking
Tyrolese
Kayak
Packrafting
Class ! / !! river
The logistics are in place to make the trip into Turbio IV relatively easy (compared to if you had to walk all the way there carrying everything) by boat across a lake, horses to carry the weight up most of the way, two mountain huts (refugios) for shelter once we arrive an easy river to descend on packrafts at the end of the trip.
The approach to the valley is a full adventure: horse riding, hiking, mountaineering and tyroleans traverses are on the program.
We will most likely be the only ones in the valley. It is over 1300m deep. Enormous granite walls rise out of a lush native forest (selva valdiviana). The peaks rise to 2300m above sea level and thus pose no risks of altitude sickness. Getting to the summits of peaks involves higher camps and scrambling.
The two mountain huts were built by one of the most talented Argentinian climbers and alpinists, Seba de la Cruz. He fell in love with the place and decided to put up one hut, where the horse trail ends and the hiking trail begins into the Turbio IV valley.
The huts offer a shelter from the heavy rain that can occur in that region, cooking and eating inside the wooden cabin during rain storm is a great experience.
The best way out is to float down the river, which is a fast class 1 or 2 depending on water levels.
Instead of walking out the main valley, you get paddling days to enjoy the view and rest the legs.
A minimal time of 10 days is advisable to visit the Turbio, the optimum is between 14 and 20 days to assure good weather window and enough time to enjoy the marvels that it have to offers.
