El Chalten

About

El Chaltén is a small mountain village in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. It is located on the riverside of Rio de las Vueltas, within the Los Glaciares National Park (section Reserva Nacional Zona Viedma) near the base of Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy spires, both popular for climbing. It is 220 km north of El Calafate. It is also a popular base for hiking numerous trails, such as those to the base of surrounding peaks and glacial lakes, such as Laguna Torre and Laguna de los Tres (near the base of Fitz Roy)

Launch Points (4)

Lago Viedma Airstrip Launch

Tow

Alt: 277 m / 908 ftHdg: 305° NWSurface: SHORT GRASS

dirt strip at the foot of Patigonia

Loma de las pizarras Launch

Foot Launch

Alt: 1,636 m / 5,368 ftHdg: 82° ESurface: SHORT GRASS

Steep, rocky mountain top launch at the base of the glacier

Loma Del Pliegue Tumbado Launch

Foot Launch

Alt: 1,504 m / 4,934 ftHdg: 3° NSurface: SHORT GRASS

Large open mountain above tree line

The Rock Launch

Foot Launch

Alt: 829 m / 2,721 ftHdg: 98° ESurface: SHORT GRASS

Low rock outcropping above town

Landing Zones (4)

Flying Conditions

Has 4 different launch points and at least 1 or more defined places that you can tow from. The best wind direction is 82.4 @ 10 knts but many sites can be flown from multiple directions, so check before you fly. You can expect to find: thermal conditions ridge soaring conditions , all dependent on current weather conditions.