We were climbing at Frey few days ago (mid-March). We took a week of food, teleferico (lift, 40 AR pesos one way) and the high route. It was beautiful (panoramic views on Andes) but strenuous (scrambling on big boulders) and partly unmarked (we followed yellow poles up from the last lift). With even more food or bad weather it´s probably better to take lower 4h hike uphill. Bolted routes are very runout; we try to avoid them. Simple rack to #4 should be okay, there´s lots of fixed pitons. So far, except "Naka Naka Crunch Crunch", routes we did had bolted anchors with rings. Most climbs are 6a-6b but some starred 5 and 5+ we did were nice, wild and sandbagged. The "guidebook" is a bunch of topos for the spires. Imagination and patience are required to find route starts. March weather is okay if you have patience: few days of sun then rain then again dry. Few other parties. At the hut dinner is 70 AR pesos and breakfast 25. You can cook using your stove for free (in the kitchen) and eat in the hut. Shower for 10 or splash in the lagoon (no soap allowed).
michalp - Mar 22, 2010 10:12 am - Hasn't voted
The ClimbsWe were climbing at Frey few days ago (mid-March). We took a week of food, teleferico (lift, 40 AR pesos one way) and the high route. It was beautiful (panoramic views on Andes) but strenuous (scrambling on big boulders) and partly unmarked (we followed yellow poles up from the last lift). With even more food or bad weather it´s probably better to take lower 4h hike uphill. Bolted routes are very runout; we try to avoid them. Simple rack to #4 should be okay, there´s lots of fixed pitons. So far, except "Naka Naka Crunch Crunch", routes we did had bolted anchors with rings. Most climbs are 6a-6b but some starred 5 and 5+ we did were nice, wild and sandbagged. The "guidebook" is a bunch of topos for the spires. Imagination and patience are required to find route starts. March weather is okay if you have patience: few days of sun then rain then again dry. Few other parties. At the hut dinner is 70 AR pesos and breakfast 25. You can cook using your stove for free (in the kitchen) and eat in the hut. Shower for 10 or splash in the lagoon (no soap allowed).