Cerro Negro

Description

Cerro Negro belongs to the Cordûn de la Ramada. The highest mountain and the probably most climbed summit in this range is Mercedario. Since the access is not so easy all the mountains that are located in the south of Mercedario are only very rarely visited. From Santa Ana that you only reach by 4WD you have to hike at least one and a half days to reach the base camp Pirca de Polacos. You have to cross the Rìo Colorado for several times which not always is possible when the river is in flood. But therefore you are compensated with a fantastic and almost untouched landscape. There are several possibilities to climb Cerro Negro. Starting with the normal route, a partly very steep field of gravel where you reach a ridge at around 5000 m. Than you have to climb the glacier up to the top. Additionally there are several canalettas, with more or less moderates gradient, up to 60 degrees and a certain risk of rock falling.

Thanks to Uwe Kraus for this description.