Valle De Los Cóndores

Photo: Patricio Gana

Extended strata of dark volcanic rock make up this beautiful, lonely place. The rock is dark basalt, hard and very closed. Only one cliff some 200m broad is located on the road side of the river. Unfortunately, a former brigde has been swept away and it seems hard to cross the strong white waters (see spanish text below). In any case, we examined the one cliff next to the road and found some bolted routes. There is almost any crack, or if so, very thin and covered with vegetation. Clean protection does not seem to be available. Many hard face routes should be possible, but require intense bolting. Laguna del Maule is also worth a visit.

Photo: M.Waldhoer
View from the road to the other side of the Río Maule.
  • Location: 150km east of Talca, road 115 to Argentina, ca. 15 km before Laguna Maule
  • Access: next to road, ca. 2000m high, no public transport
  • Maps: JLM No. 09 Araucanía
  • Rock: Dark volcanic rock, smooth, dense and hard
  • Routes: Some routes in place
  • Grades: ?
  • Characteristics: small holds
  • Height: up to 25m
  • Equipment: some bolts in place
  • Exposure: All
  • Season: Summer

           

More details (Contribución de Patricio Gana):

Clima: Season all year except winter, altitude 2000m. There is no shadow in summer. Fishing is possible in the river. 

To cross the river: you have 3 ways:

  1. cross the river further up at the dam barrage and hike down
  2. mount a ropeway. There seem to be some anchors in boulders, however, there will be problems in spring with high water level.

 

Photo: M.Waldhoer
The river to cross.

Photo: M.Waldhoer
More rock formations higher up the road.

       Photo: Patricio Gana

see more photos, e.g. how to cross the river...