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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    TR: Riding Giants Argentina - Super Canaleta on Cerro Rincon

    As the season came to a close in Las Leñas Argentina, Dorian Densmore, Alejo Sanchez and I decided we wanted to explore and ski something new. Here is what we got up to. Video (by Dorian) and trip report are below. Enjoy.

    Snowbrains






    If you’ve ever spent time in Mendoza, you’ve probably noticed some rather large, snow covered peaks not far from the city. This is the Cordon del Plata. We’ve all eyed runs from the city and dreamed about skiing up there, and decided it was finally time to do something about it. The highest peak and most enticing ski line seen from Mendoza is Cerro Plata (19,574ft), which towers more than 17,000 vertical feet above Mendoza (take that, Chamonix). However, with a bit of research, it appeared that Cerro Rincon (17,700ftish), and more specifically Super Canaleta, the large couloir that descends from near its summit, might be the best and most reasonable ski run for us to try.



    Super Canaleta descends just looker’s right from the summit of Cerro Rincon.


    So, with plenty of motivation and very little information, we packed a week of food, camping gear and skis, and drove to Vallecitos, a closed ski resort at the foot of the Cordon del Plata. In Vallecitos, we spent three days acclimatizing, carrying gear, establishing a high camp, and waiting on inclement weather. This area is very popular among hikers and mountaineers in the summer, so there is a well-established network of trails and camps. However, the area was practically abandoned while we were there.



    Super Sancho Style gear carrying and acclimatizing.


    We established our high camp at “Campo Salto”, at about 13,700 feet. This was 4,000 feet above Vallecitos, 4,000 feet below the summit of Rincon, and more or less at snow line. In our previous days of acclimatization and preparation, it appeared that conditions were still fairly cold and powdery in the high mountains, so we made plans to start for Super Canaleta around on our fourth day.



    Camp at sunset. Pretty.


    We awoke to find an inversion in place – warm, sunny and clear up high, and a sea of clouds in the valley below. We skinned the short approach to the base of the couloir and began boot packing. Two things were immediately obvious: this couloir was enormous, and things were warming up fast. We continued booting, as a nearly constant stream of small rocks and snowballs hurtled past.



    AM boot packs.


    Super Canaleta is the primary drainage for a good portion of the Cerro Rincon ridge. The classic Andean combination of loose rock, high winds, and bright sun had turned this couloir into funnel for falling rock and snow. When we started to notice some more warming in the snow and a couple softball sized rocks fly past, we decided it was time to turn back. Perhaps only a third of the way up the couloir, we enjoyed a really long run with perfect hot powder back to camp.



    Dorian on our first try on Super Canaleta.


    It had become clear that Super Canaleta was not going to make it easy for us, but that it was a line well worth the effort. The couloir looked incredible: 3,500 feet inside the walls, huge and open and 40 degrees for the most of the run, choking down to a ski length or two wide and 50 degrees for the long upper section.



    Headed back to camp.


    We decided to start much earlier the next morning, hoping to minimize danger from falling snow and rock. We once again awoke to warm temperatures and an inversion. We made the approach and began boot packing in the pre-dawn murk. Before the sun had even cleared the horizon, rocks were already tumbling down the couloir.



    Camp Salto being eaten by clouds.


    As a group, we decided to accept the current risk of rock fall, and to turn back if things got any worse. We hiked as quickly as we could, sticking to the sides of the run and tucking into hiding places whenever possible. Every few minutes, someone would shout “Rock!” and the other two would snap their heads up in panic, searching for the danger.



    Up up up.


    We climbed fast, but the run was enormous and our progress seemed imperceptible. Finally, the couloir narrowed and steepened. Our exposure to rock fall decreased significantly, and we were getting near the top. However, we were now over 17,000 feet, and were pretty tired from our long, rapid climb. We pushed on, changing leaders frequently to keep fresher legs in front.



    Getting narrower.


    Finally, the snow ended. We were at the top. In bigger years, Super Canaleta runs right off the ridge, but this time there was a section of steep rock blocking our progress. We had neither the gear nor the time to climb it, and as skiers, we knew this was the top of our run.



    Dorian, dropping.


    After a rapid transition, we were ready to go. Dorian went first, and I followed. The snow was perfect, hot pow all the way. The top was steep and narrow and sluffy, requiring controlled jump turns. It was exciting and exhausting. Finally, the couloir widened, and I could open it up. High speed turns down a huge couloir, and the run went forever. Even with acclimatizing and training on big front side runs in Las Leñas, my legs were screaming, and Dorian was still a tiny ant far, far below. I reached the bottom, gasping, and in complete disbelief of how good it was. Alejo rode up behind me and we had a big group hug.



    Turns near the top.


    So many factors came together to make this run incredible. The couloir was huge and amazing, the snow was perfect. Because of our hard skiing and training in Las Leñas, we were able to ski the run fast and smooth and non-stop. Our climb was exhausting and high risk, making the reward even sweeter. Between carrying gear, establishing camp, and working at high altitudes, we put in an immense effort. This was truly a line of a lifetime.



    Lower in the couloir.


    The next day, we chose a smaller, less risky couloir, and made an even earlier start, hoping there would be less rockfall in the middle of the night. At the base of the couloir, we saw rocks coming down, and decided it wasn’t worth the risk. We felt we had used up our luck the day before, and no one had a good feeling about taking more risk that day. The mountains were in transition from winter to spring. Everything was starting to warm up and fall, and there was still plenty of snow and rock to come down before a more stable spring cycle would begin. We went back to camp, packed up, and made the long slog back to Vallecitos. We had achieved our primary goal, and had caught a brief glimpse of the potential for future trips.



    Until next time, Cordon del Plata. Dorian Densmore photo.

  2. #2
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  3. #3
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    Fantastic !
    Thanks for sharing.
    License to kill gophers by the government of the United Nations

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by llyon View Post

    Camp at sunset. Pretty.
    You sir, are a master of understatement

  5. #5
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    That was amazing!
    "We're in the eye of a shiticane here Julian, and Ricky's a low shit system!" - Jim Lahey, RIP

    Former Managing Editor @ TGR, forever mag.

  6. #6
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    Damn that looks so good. Great stuff!
    The Passion is in the Risk

  7. #7
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    YESSSS! I really want to go back there and ski more than the lower half. Snow looks amazing.
    Ich bitte dich nur, weck mich nicht.

  8. #8
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    Absolutely badass. Great work, boys. Strong motivation.
    'on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness.' So I got that goin' for me,....which is nice!

  9. #9
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    awesome

    2345

    freak~[&]

  10. #10
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    very cool! Thx for the TR!

  11. #11
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    Beautiful... awesome and epic report.
    Screw the net, Surf the backcountry!

  12. #12
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    Looks amazing! Thx for sharing!
    27° 18°

  13. #13
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    Great stuff. Thanks.

  14. #14
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    Sick Lee!
    "The idea wasnt for me, that I would be the only one that would ever do this. My idea was that everybody should be doing this. At the time nobody was, but this was something thats too much fun to pass up." -Briggs
    Quote Originally Posted by LeeLau View Post
    Wear your climbing harness. Attach a big anodized locker to your belay loop so its in prime position to hit your nuts. Double russian Ti icescrews on your side loops positioned for maximal anal rape when you sit down. Then everyone will know your radness
    More stoke, less shit.

  15. #15
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    Awesome Lee, great stoke

  16. #16
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    Great adventure. Thanks for sharing, Lee.
    It's stuff like that you'll remember when you're 80.

  17. #17
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    Wow, that's amazing
    www.dpsskis.com
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    formerly an ambassador for a few others, but the ski industry is... interesting.
    Fukt: a very small amount of snow.

  18. #18
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    Nice one LL and co.
    Life is not lift served.

  19. #19
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    Great viddy of ur descent - strong work through that extended choke
    Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Natures peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. - John Muir

    "How long can it last? For fuck sake this isn't heroin -
    suck it up princess" - XXX on getting off mj

    “This is infinity here,” he said. “It could be infinity. We don’t really don’t know. But it could be. It has to be something — but it could be infinity, right?” - Trump, on the vastness of space, man

  20. #20
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    Looks awesome, thanks for the TR.

  21. #21
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    Thanks.
    Quote Originally Posted by Downbound Train View Post
    And there will come a day when our ancestors look back...........

  22. #22
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    nice line..

  23. #23
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    ¡Buenisimo! What a great journey in the Big Andes!

    ¡Bien hecho!

  24. #24
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    Awesome sauce!!!!

  25. #25
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    strong effort!
    great stoke!
    thanks for sharing.

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