Hi Corax, you are correct about Pico Vallecitos vs Vallecitos. The actual summit is higher, but quite difficult to climb, I did not do it.
Just came back from (pico) Vallecitos, with some additions: on teh way up, after Hoyada camp, the left variation of the trail is definitely better, you will not slip at all, the right variation is only for going down, through ankle deep sand, fun to come down :)
Also on the summit is now a cross with a small tube, where there should be a paper and a pen or pencil.
The last scramble can be tricky early in the season: I think I was the first of the season, the scrambling rocks were filled with snow and ice and that made it likely to hard for previous hikers, as the paper was empty and there was no trail through the snow.
I went to this region in January of 2011 and I did first the lower summit of Vallecitos (with the cross) and some days after I did the traverse from Mt Rincon to Vallecitos, passing through the actual summit. I used crampon and ice axe, but didn't need rope or other gear.
Interesting. Thanks for the feedback.
Personally I wouldn't do that traverse without a rope and some gear. The margins are small, the rock is rotten and the potential falls on both sides of the ridge are very long.
7summits - Dec 25, 2007 12:49 pm - Hasn't voted
Variations upHi Corax, you are correct about Pico Vallecitos vs Vallecitos. The actual summit is higher, but quite difficult to climb, I did not do it.
Just came back from (pico) Vallecitos, with some additions: on teh way up, after Hoyada camp, the left variation of the trail is definitely better, you will not slip at all, the right variation is only for going down, through ankle deep sand, fun to come down :)
Also on the summit is now a cross with a small tube, where there should be a paper and a pen or pencil.
The last scramble can be tricky early in the season: I think I was the first of the season, the scrambling rocks were filled with snow and ice and that made it likely to hard for previous hikers, as the paper was empty and there was no trail through the snow.
Cheers, Harry
Corax - Dec 25, 2007 2:35 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Variations upLong time Harry.
I added the info on the Vallecitos route page. Thanks.
davicaetano - Jun 12, 2022 6:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Actual summit through Mt RinconI went to this region in January of 2011 and I did first the lower summit of Vallecitos (with the cross) and some days after I did the traverse from Mt Rincon to Vallecitos, passing through the actual summit. I used crampon and ice axe, but didn't need rope or other gear.
Corax - Jun 13, 2022 12:06 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Actual summit through Mt RinconInteresting. Thanks for the feedback.
Personally I wouldn't do that traverse without a rope and some gear. The margins are small, the rock is rotten and the potential falls on both sides of the ridge are very long.