Patagonia
Across the Northern Patagonian Ice Field
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TRIP I HAVE BEEN ON
Few places have a more dramatic landscape. No trip has such a variety of challenges in one.
A little harder than Greenland — you need to be well prepared. You will experience Chilean summer, a great drive through the Andes, a river journey by jet boat, a lake crossing, a heavy carry up onto the glacier, the icefall, a loop crossing on the icecap, the descent back through the icefall, and the return to civilisation.
Can you let this one pass?
Duration: Approximately 3 weeks (14–16 days on the trip itself, plus weather days)
Distance: A loop crossing of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field, with the icefall on the way up and down
Group size: 1 guide and up to 6 participants
Departure point: Balmaceda (BBA), Chile
End point: Balmaceda (BBA), Chile, via Cerro Castillo
Dates 2026: Meet-up 11 November 2026, return travel 28 November
Price: TBA — less than Greenland
EXPEDITION FACTS
Expedition Details
Børge Ousland writes: This is one of the most beautiful trips I have been on. I did my first expedition to Patagonia in 2003, when Thomas Ulrich and I crossed the Southern Patagonian Ice Field — you can read about that trip in National Geographic, August 2004. I have been spellbound by this little-visited corner of the earth ever since.
In 2009, Bengt Rotmo and I also crossed the Northern Ice Field — an equally stunning experience. Mountains, ice, and lush green forest. Mix that with horse riding, a sea journey, and the warm welcome of the people there, and you have all the elements of Patagonia in one trip.
Patagonia has been a "Holy Grail" for travellers and explorers since Magellan gave the area its name. As it happens, the name came from the locals he met — the patagones — who stood out as giants. They were probably around 180 cm tall, but the Spanish at the time averaged 155 cm.
For us, eyeing the Patagonian Ice Sheet, the name fits. This is the largest mass of ice outside the polar regions — spectacular, and a daunting challenge. Our focus is the Northern Ice Field: 4,200 km², elevation between 1,100 and 1,700 metres, and as many as 28 icefalls along its margins.
The actual crossing of the icecap isn't very long, so we have chosen to turn south and ski in a loop back towards the eastern side before descending. That doubles the time on the ice and lets us see far more of the surrounding peaks than a straight traverse would.
The Route
11 November 2026 — Meet-up in Balmaceda (BBA), Chile. Most people will need to leave home on Monday 10 November. We organise the pick-up at the airport and the transport to Cerro Castillo, which is our hub for preparation, packing, and briefing. Here you meet the Ousland guide and the local guide who makes this possible.
Drive to Puerto Guadal. When ready, we head further south by road.
Up the river by jet boat. From Puerto Guadal, we change to a jet boat — believe it or not — and navigate the river system up to Leones Lake.
Across Leones Lake. A second boat takes us all the way in to the edge of Glacier Leones.
The carry, the icefall, and onto the ice. The real trip starts here. We carry everything up to where we step onto the glacier, navigate the icefall, and cross by ski onto the Northern Ice Field.
The loop. Rather than a straight crossing, we turn south and ski in a loop back towards the eastern side. Twice the time on this unique glacier and its surrounding peaks.
Descent and return. Down the icefall, back across Leones Lake, back along the river, and back to Cerro Castillo for a celebration dinner :-)
Home. Return travel on Friday 28 November. By all accounts, you should be home on Saturday 29 November. If we finish earlier and you have a ticket that can be changed, you may get home a few days sooner.
The trip will take 14 to 16 days. Patagonia being Patagonia, we have built in a few extra days for weather and other adventure-delaying hiccups.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Everything from the moment we leave Cerro Castillo until you are back at the hotel: transport, vehicles, boats, food, guides, camp equipment, and 24/7 backup.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Travel to and from Chile / Balmaceda
Lodging in Balmaceda before and after the trip — some arrive earlier or stay longer
Food in Balmaceda
Personal equipment
Travel, cancellation, and medical evacuation insurance — these are required
SIGNING UP / DEPOSIT / INVOICE
Until the January test expedition is complete, this works a little differently. The booking form puts you on the list — non-binding. Once we have prices and dates confirmed, we contact everyone on the list and you decide whether to commit. At that point the usual deposit and invoice process applies.
If you are interested, send us a quick yes, no, or maybe by email :-) The sooner we know who is in, the more time we have to plan with you.