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Hi

I´m planning to climb Mercedário´s south face on Jannuary 2007.
Althought, I still don´t know if the access road are fixed...
There was a flood on the 2006´s summer that destroyed the mining road... Even the south face been reached by other valley (valle del Colorado). I still don´t know if by that way the acces road is out of problems....
I´m going with my own car, that is a GM 4wd pickup, is there possible to go with car?
Do anybody know´s something about it?

Another thing...

Do anybody know´s what can I do to get the Mining company´s permition to enter the mountain zone? Is there any telephone I can call or a email or something?
Do anybody know´s the mining company name?

thank´s all

Pedro Hauck wrote:Hi

I´m planning to climb Mercedário´s south face on Jannuary 2007.
Althought, I still don´t know if the access road are fixed...
There was a flood on the 2006´s summer that destroyed the mining road... Even the south face been reached by other valley (valle del Colorado). I still don´t know if by that way the acces road is out of problems....
I´m going with my own car, that is a GM 4wd pickup, is there possible to go with car?
Do anybody know´s something about it?

Do anybody know´s what can I do to get the Mining company´s permition to enter the mountain zone? Is there any telephone I can call or a email or something?
Do anybody know´s the mining company name?

There's not problem to reach the south face of Mercedario via Valle Colorado. The flash flood didn't affect that valley at all.
You can read more about it all here.
A crude little map onm the Trabante II page.

If you have your own car it's very easy. Drive to Barreal and continue on the road all the way to Las Juntas bridge. There you can park it and the guys staying there can look after it. From there you can start walking towards Santa Ana, the military checkpoint.

I can't recall the mining company's name, but I don't think there's a problem to drive to the bridge at Las Juntas. If in doubt, you can ask about this detail in Barreal. If the mining company representative forbids you to drive your own car all the way, you can easily arrange transport from Barreal to Las Juntas/Santa Ana.
You have to visit the military in Barreal before take off anyway and they can answer the questions about all the access rules.

Thank´s Janne...


Do you know if these minning company, (Rio Tinto is the name) ask permition to enter in the mountain zone from Valle del Colorado?
Is there any email address or a telephone available to get those information?

Pedro Hauck wrote:Thank´s Janne...

Do you know if these minning company, (Rio Tinto is the name) ask permition to enter in the mountain zone from Valle del Colorado?
Is there any email address or a telephone available to get those information?

We registered in the army base in Barreal and then we went. We also registered in Santa Ana army check point.
No one said anything about any permits from the mining company. I think permits from the mining company only applies if you're going up the other valley (Rio Blanco).

I have no phone number or address.
Drop Anibal a note. He's the expert on Mercedario.
Please say hi from me if you do.

I´ve just come back from Mercedario and the Gemdarme at Santa Ana treated me really well - stayed a night there as I walked out early and they helped me get transport to Barreal. I´d be surprised if they would not let you park your car there. Bring them something as a gift - food, beer whatever - they are quite isolated and feel it so they would appreciate it. Otherwise its about an hour and half´s drive from Barreal.

As for the mining permit thing, all we were required to do is sign a wavier to cross their bridge - no permit as such.

Like Corax says e-mail Anibal for more definiate info. We went with him.

Cheers,
Paul