Exp.Co.PABELLON Day 2 - Summit (3181m) Rio El Tala

The Summit Stage (Day 2) of the Cerro El Pabellón (3,181m) expedition, starting from the Río El Tala basin in Catamarca, is a highly demanding trekking route due to its steep slopes and elevation gain.

️ Route and Key Locations

The step-by-step itinerary for the summit push includes the following key milestones:

• Starting Point: "El Durazno" Camp (located at approximately 2,020 meters above sea level).
• West Bypass: The trail begins along the ridge base and veers slightly left (West) to gain altitude gradually, avoiding the steepest part of the main ridge.
• Main Ridge Line: The path returns to the main ridge crest. The final stretch of this section features an extremely steep and challenging incline.
• High Plateau: Once past the ridge, you reach a high flat area where the final summit crest begins.
• Final Destination: Cerro El Pabellón Summit (3,181m). The descent follows the same route back to camp to pack up and return to the trailhead.

Distances and Metrics (Day 2)

• Total Daily Distance: 10.76 kilometers (full round trip from the camp to the summit and back).
• Elevation Gain (+): 1,194 meters of pure ascent from the campsite.
• Maximum Altitude: 3,181 meters above sea level.

️ Scenic Viewpoints

• Main Ridge and Crest: As you gain altitude and leave the tree line behind, the trail offers open views of the mountain range.
• Condor Sightings: The high ridges are frequent updraft areas for Andean condors soaring close to the peaks.
• Quebrada Panorama: The pre-summit plateau and the peak itself offer panoramic views of the entire Río El Tala upper basin and the valleys toward El Rodeo.

EXPEDITION: Co. Pabellon, 3190m, 2 Days, 1 Camp
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OBJECTIVE Day 2: Ascend Co. Pabellon, return to camp, break camp, and return to the vehicles.
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STARTING POINT: Campsite at 'EL DURAZNO' Camp
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ROUTE:

-Start at 6:00 am, taking the path that skirts the hill and then climbs the small hill to the left (West) to gain altitude.
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-Return to the main hill, thus avoiding the initial slope of the Main Hill.
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-Then proceed along the ridge of the hill,
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-Trail
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-Crested Ridge
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-Ridge Trail
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-Hill
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-Rocky Slopes
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-Rocky Slopes
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-Small Balcony

-Ridge
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-Crested Ridge
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-Ridge
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-Summit
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-Return

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