Petzl RocTrip 2012

Petzl have announced the 2012 Petzl RocTrip will be in Patagonia from November 22-25, a great venue and location promise to make this a RocTrip with a difference...

The first Petzl RocTrip was launched in Millau, France in 2002. Since then, Petzl has been organizing this gathering of climbers at exceptional sites around the world. In 2012, for the 10th anniversary of the Petzl RocTrip, Petzl are returning to the wild side!

Piedra Parada site in Argentina is a wild and arid landscape, the singular 200-meter monolith and meandering La Buitrera Canyon have seduced Petzl's route-finders. The participants will camp in the wilderness in spring conditions, two steps from the Chubut River. The Campo de la Buitrera will be set up as a basecamp for welcoming the "Gauchos of the vertical world".

As every year since 2002, the Petzl RocTrip has been an opportunity to come together for a shared passion in a friendly atmosphere.

At the end of March 2012, a team of 30 climbers from Team Petzl and from Argentina put up over 100 new sport and trad routes to explore between the sun and the shade. The climbing is on red volcanic rock with excellent friction and air pockets that have turned into beautiful "agugero" holds.

Fifteen years ago, it was extremely difficult to find bolts and hangers in Argentina. Before the March 2012 trip in preparation for the Petzl RocTrip, there were a little over a hundred routes. Today, thanks to the work of route-setters, there are 210 routes waiting for you!

About The Climbing

A series of great sport routes was put up on the South Face (in the shade as this is the southern hemisphere!) of La Piedra Parada.

Most of the routes are in the La Buitrera Canyon, with sport crags spread out along the two sides, allowing climbers to choose

between sun and shade. Several crags are located in small tributary canyons. There are also multi-pitch routes in the cracks and needles for some wild climbing.

The entire site was formed by an ancient 30-kilometer-wide volcano that erupted to create an enormous water-filled crater. When this crater gave way, the Chubut River forged a valley and a canyon, leaving only the hardest rock exposed. Some of the rock layers are riddled with "taffoni" holes of all sizes, a real treat for climbers.

Equipment

The sport routes are equipped with bolts, and the anchors are fixed with maillons.

Bring about fifteen draws, a 70-80 meter single rope (necessary for most routes), and a rope bag to protect against the extremely abrasive dust.

Remember to bring extra chalk, and a helmet is essential.
The routes are new, holds can break, and rocks may also be dislodged by the wind or by wild animals, such as the "Chinchiyon" that live in the cliffs.

During the RocTrip, everyone will be asked to wear a helmet at the base of the climbs.

For more info on the RocTrip visit Petzl's website here