Cerro Castillo

This article is about the mountain in Chile. For the settlement in Chile, see: Cerro Castillo, Chile. For the mountain in Ecuador, see Cerro Castillo, Ecuador.

Cerro Castillo
Cerro Castillo viewed from East, Feb 2002
Elevation	2,675 m (8,776 ft)
Location
Location	Chile
Range	Andes
Coordinates	46°3′47″S 72°12′25″W / 46.06306°S 72.20694°W / -46.06306; -72.20694Coordinates: 46°3′47″S 72°12′25″W / 46.06306°S 72.20694°W / -46.06306; -72.20694
Topo map	IGM J 10 (Villa Cerro Castillo) 1:50,000
Geology
Type	Igneous rock
Climbing
Easiest route	ice/rock climb

Cerro Castillo is a jagged rocky peak located in the Aisén Region of Chile, within the Cerro Castillo National Reserve. Castillo means castle in Spanish, and the steep basalt walls of the mountain indeed make it look like one. On its sides are a few small glaciers and lakes fed by them.

Approach

Cerro Castillo is 75 km south of the city of Coyhaique along Carretera Austral. There is a small village Villa Cerro Castillo just off the road. The base of the mountain can be approached from the road in one day along Estero Parada river. An alternative is the excellent 4-day hike that starts on a spot called Las Horquetas Grandes on Carretera Austral, goes through forests, has two river crossings (no bridges), and goes over a 1,400 m mountain pass adjacent to the rock walls of Cerro Castillo. The area is remote and sees less than one hiking party per day during the season.

Climbing

800m ice gully on West side, 55°, alpine AD grade.