Granite Towers of Frey
The Other Patagonia Destination
When I think of Patagonia, I think of quality gear, sustainable practices and Yvon Chouinard, immaculate rock, wind-carved landscapes and unpredictable weather. The famous Fitz Roy massif in southern Patagonia is a draw for many climbers, myself included. The amount of time required for travel and finding a good weather window in that tempestuous climate was not compatible with my workplace vacation policy at the moment, but a few friends suggested a place north of El Chalten where the granite towers and scenery were quite similar, but the weather more reliable. They were talking about Frey, a spiky cirque where top climber Rolando Garibotti spent years cutting his teeth. It doesn’t have the height of the Fitz Roy peaks, but a chance to climb