Mount Fitz Roy, Granite mountain in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina and Chile.
Mount Fitz Roy is a granite peak that rises 3,406 meters above sea level on the border between Argentina and Chile within Los Glaciares National Park. Its steep rock faces form a sharp pyramid that stands high above the surrounding highlands.
French climbers Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone reached the summit first in 1952 via the Southeast Ridge. The mountain was named after British captain Robert FitzRoy, who charted the Patagonian coast during the 1830s.
The Tehuelche people call this peak Chaltén, meaning smoking mountain, because clouds often wrap around the summit. Today the nearby village shares this name and serves as the main starting point for trekkers heading toward the base.
The trail from El Chaltén village to the base stretches 21.4 kilometers and takes eight to ten hours round trip. Weather changes quickly, so hikers should carry several layers of clothing and start early in the morning.
The summit stays hidden by clouds about 300 days a year, making clear views a rare event. Even on cloudless days, strong winds from the west Pacific create difficult conditions along the ridge.
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