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Our Guides

Location: Home » About » Our Guides

Aconcagua Express Expeditions Guide Staff

Aconcagua Express Expeditions Guide Staff included Professional Mountain Guides, all of them bilingual mostly coming from Argentina, Austria, Australia, Germany, Switzerland & USA. The majorities of these Guides are certified at different levels and have tons of experience guiding in the high mountains. Some of them are great well known climbers as well. Either on the mountain or trekking you will also share will local guides that has assist many departure on each destination most of them bilingual.

Guide Joaquin Oyarzun

Joaquin Oyarzun – Chile

Executive Director of Aconcagua Express, Joaquin is an ex Olympic skier, racing for 8 year at the World Cup speed skiing circuit and finish his carrier at Winter Olympic Games at Albertville France. He has become a Professional Ski Instructor at the French School, ENSA, Chamonix in 1985. His mountain experience count 7 Aconcagua successful ascent, many Central Andes peaks and several expedition at the Himalayas; Shishapangma (Central Summit), Cho Oyu (Camp 2), Manaslu (Camp 3). He speaks fluent Spanish, German, French and English.

Guide Tom TorkelsonTom Torkelson – USA

Year-round and around the world, Tom is busy organizing and leading mountaineering expeditions and wilderness treks. His guiding work and adventuring have taken him to Alaska, the Himalaya, Antarctica, New Zealand, The Alps, Mexico, and South America. His area of specialty is the Andes, from Ecuador to Patagonia, where he’s led over 40 expeditions to 6,000 meter peaks, including 13 Aconcagua ascents! Tom puts this experience to work in the USA guiding multi-day wilderness trips to the Wind Rivers, Beartooths, and the Tetons for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. Tom is also a professional videographer, and he’ll be taking his craft to new heights, filming expeditions to Cho Oyu this fall and Everest in spring 2005. Tom speaks Spanish and English.

Guide Jean PavillardJean Pavillard – Switzerland

Jean Pavillard has been a professional mountain guide for twenty-two years. Born and raised in Switzerland, Jean developed his mountaineering

skills through the tradition of Swiss mountain guiding by apprenticing and attending national courses. Jean has been the technical director for the American Mountain Guide Association and was instrumental in helping the AMGA become a part of the international association. He is certified by the Swiss and American associations and is a member of the International Association of Mountain Guides. He has guided all over the world teaching courses on all aspects of mountaineering for several national organizations. He has worked as an examiner during the national testing for the American and British mountain guide associations. By soliciting the best minds in the business, Jean has designed and developed, a curriculum for Adventures to the Edge’s Guides Training Center and a 3 level (introductory level through professional) avalanche course of study. Jean has been featured in a number of industry publications: Couloir, Ski, Sports Illustrated. These articles clearly define Jean as a leader in the industry dedicated to the development of education for safe mountain travel.

Guide Ivan FuenzalidaIvan Fuenzalida – Chile

Ivan (Piolo) is a part of our local guide staff. He is a Professional Ski Instructor and owns his adventure summer camp organization, Club Aventura. His skiing teaching include as alpine ski coach of Sport Club Universidad Catolica of Santiago and former Instructor of Valle Nevado Ski School. Ivan has also taught in Europe, USA and Canada. Ivan has a degree in Marketing Sports from Diego Portales University, Ski Coach Level 2 Canadian Association and National Ski Instructor of the Chilean Ski Instructor Association. He has joined KL Adventure since year 2001 and has successfully guided in Ojos Del Salado, Aconcagua & Torres del Paine. You will hardly see some one happier than Ivan; he is the one that give everyone’s the big smile.

Guide Sebastian GrauSebastian Grau – Chile-USA

Sebastian is a local guide and professional geographer who has done numerous treks throughout Chile and USA as El Capitan and Half Dome in

California. He joined Aconcagua Express in 2001 leading groups up El Plomo and guiding 7 successful ascents of Aconcagua along different routes. He is hard working and always willing to help those around him with a good spirit. His biggest passion is rock climbing and has climbed extensively in Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Morocco and the USA for over thirteen years. He trained in self-rescue courses and in climbing technic in International Mountain Climbing School (IMCS), New Hampshire, USA and Catholic University of Chile. He has experience in kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, ocean sailing, and scuba diving. He speaks fluent Spanish and English.

Guide Gerardo CastilloGerardo Castillo – Argentina

Gerardo is a former guide of the Argentinean Guide Association, full certified degree. Has climb extensible Mt. Aconcagua seventeen times through the Polish & Normal route. In India he had successfully climbed Kamet (7,756m) and Rock Peak (4,550m), in Nepal Gokyo Peak (5,485m) and took part of the first Argentinean ascent of Broad Peak (8,047m). Gerardo climb intensively in the entire Argentinean Mountains beside Aconcagua. In Patagonia he did traverse the Southern Ice Cap from Marconi Pass to Hinquen Glacier & Estancia Cristina.

Guide Andrew LockAndrew Lock – Australia

KL Adventure & Aconcagua Express are proud for founding Andrew as one of their Lead Guides. Andrew is part of the great mountaineering history, with almost all 14th eight thousands meter peaks, currently trying Kanchenzunga and Anapurna in one season push, Andrew has

successfully guide since 1992 extensively in Mt Lobuche Nepal, Baltoro glacier trek and crossing of high altitude pass, Gondogoro La, Karakorum mountains in Pakistan, Central Asia exploratory trek and mountain traverse in Pamir and Tien Shan ranges in Kazakstan and Tadjikistan, Leader of successful commercial expedition to Mt Everest 7 clients, leader trekking groups in Peru, to Ausangante and Huayhuash mountain ranges, leader, mountaineering team to Cordillera Real and Cordillera Blanca mountain ranges in Peru and Bolivia.

His climbing achievement counts on: 1987 Mt McKinley, Alaska, first Australian ascent of the West Rib. 1988 Pumori, Australian expedition, Nepal Himalaya. 1989 Pik Korchenevskaja, Pamir Ranges, first Australian ascent. 1990 Polish glacier Aconcagua, Argentina, ascent and solo traverse of mountain. 1993 K2 1st Australian ascent from the Pakistan side, 2nd highest peak in the world. 1997 Dhaulagiri, Nepal 1st Australian ascent 7th highest peak in the world. 1997 Broad Peak, solo ascent 12th highest peak in the world. 1998 Nanga Parbat 1st Australian ascent 9th highest in the world peak. 1999 Hidden Peak 1st Australian ascent 11th highest peak in the world. 1999 Gasherbrum 2 Alpine style ascent 13th highest peak in the world. 2002 Manaslu leader and 1st Australian ascent 8th highest peak in the world. 2002 Lhotse solo ascent. 4th highest peak in the world. These last two peak was done in same a single climbing pre monsoon season!

Guide Rob GowlerRob Gowler – USA

Is a resident of Jackson, Wyoming. He has been a full time climber since 1989, a very competent skier since 1975 and a professional Mountain Guide since 1995. Rob has had successful expeditions, both skiing and climbing, to areas such as Alaska, including having guided several groups to the top of Denali, Patagonia, he climbed Cerro Fitzroy in 2001, Ecuador, Peru and lots of other interesting areas. Rob is also a lead guide for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides and The Alaska Mountaineering School, and does snow safety/avalanche forecasting/high angle rescue for the World Free Skiing Championships in Valdez, Alaska. Rob has a B.A. in “Wilderness Leadership with an emphasis on Mountaineering”. Somehow he also seems to know just about everybody everywhere he goes.

Guide Tatiana NiveyroTatiana Niveyro – Argentina

Tatiana Niveyro is an energetic mountaineer, climber and skier. Her climbing and working experience in the Cordillera Real, Bolivia, in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia and in the USA led her to specialize and become a professional Mountain guide. She has climbed more than 15 peaks over 6,000m (19,700 ft). Among them Ojos del Salado (6,893m), the 3 highest summits on Pissis (6,795m), Huascaran (6,762m) and already summited Mt. Aconcagua five times. She guides, does logistics, organization and assistance for mountaineering expeditions. She is a Forestry Engineer and a Trekking Guide AAGM. She speaks Spanish, English and French.

Guide Martin MolinaMartin Molina – Argentina

Martin is one of our local guide full certified as a guide (and previously as a sport teacher and Andinism teacher), he has done 23 Aconcagua summits through the different routes, climb more than 55 summits in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina between 4,000 and 6,000m.

He had successfully climb Kamet (7,756m) in 1998 and participate in numerous international climbing competition. He has been working as a guide in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Spain and climbed a lot in South America, USA, Europe and India.

Guide Fernando Guanzini

Fernando Guanzini – Argentina

Well know as Oso, Fernado is a full certified local guide that loves to share his passion of climbing (on rock or on ice) and going ski touring. He climbed Aconcagua since 2003 through the different routes and many peak in Argentina, Peru, Chile, Spain and Italy.

Guide Cristina Badias

Cristina Badías – Argentina

Cristina is one of our full certified local guide. She has 6 years of experience at the Aconcagua, got 11 success summit through different roads. Cristina is a very strong climber, what is more she is a lovely person. She has done more than 90 summits until 4,200m and more than 30 summit up to 5,000m in Argentina (La Ramada Mt., La Majadita Mt., Ansilta, etc.) and in Bolivia (Pequeño Alpamayo, Piramide Blanca). She speaks fluently Spanish and English.

Guide Gabriel Rocamora

Gabriel Rocamora – Argentina

Gabriel is full certified as a guide (and previously as a sport teacher), he has guided for 8 years in Aconcagua Park, what represents 32 Aconcagua expedition through the different routes, climb 44 summits in Peru and Argentina between 4,000 and 6,000m (Cerro Huascaran, Cerro Alpmayo, and Cerro Plata, Cerro Negro, Cerro Cuerno for different route each time). He loves to go rock and ice climbing and speaks fluently Spanish and English.

Guide Leonardo Tarditti

Leonardo Tarditti – Argentina

Leo is full certified as a guide, he has guided for 6 years in Aconcagua Park and done 8 summits through the different routes. He reached many summits in Argentina (Cerro Plata, Cerro Pircas and many mounts around Aconcagua: Bonete, Brazil, Horcones, etc.) and in Bolivia (Illimani, Huyana Potosi, Pequeño Alpamayo, etc.). He is a strong rock climber too and speaks fluently Spanish and English.

Climber Experiences

Gabriel and Mariana are great very sensitive, customer minded and fun to be with. And very well prepared and responsible.

Frans Cromme
Netherlands

Overall I was very happy with the trip. Logistics of the trip were well organized; the pre-trip info, the food at base camp, the hotels, transports and equipment provided by KL / Aconcagua Express Expeditions were good.
Our guides, Kristina and Nenu, were excellent. Very friendly, knowledgeable, and capable. I had every confidence in them.

Brett Mc Fadyen
Australia

Aconcagua Express & KL Adventure was truly a wonderful experience. From the pre- trip client care to the world class guide and staff, fabulous base camp cuisine, traveling safely and ethically, superior route experience and better pricing than most other outfits. Truly a fantastic trip that I have no reservations in recommending to Americans or anyone else interested in a climb.

Eric Hornbeck
USA

Hey Joaquin
We have used Aconcagua Express services every year we have guided Aconcagua and we have been 100% satisfied. Aconcagua Express is exceedingly professional, on time, and a good value. We would not choose another service for our expeditions.
Cheers,

Colby Combs Director Alaska Mountaineering School
Alaska

Beautiful route, and the strategy for adjusting to the altitude was very good. I really enjoyed our team, and Christina and Marianna also seemed to be enjoying themselves very well. Good atmosphere.

Choice for Aconcagua Express Expeditions was also because you were the only ones to actually give me advice on an expedition when I e-mailed you. You offered me a specific expedition and date. So the personal info was important for me.

Martijn de Boer
Netherlands

Hi Joaquin, I was a member of your January expedition to Aconcagua, I was very impressed with the entire setup and I would like to compliment you on how smoothly the expedition went. I was very impressed with the skills of both Gabriel and Mariana and if it hadn’t been for them and the decisions they made I am quite sure we would not have made the summit.

Peter Dignan
United Kingdom

Over the last couple years I had the opportunity to lead many individual and groups to Aconcagua, Patagonia, central Cordillera and Lake District of Chile. I could not have provided the exceptional service my clients have grown accustom to without the help of KL Adventure & Aconcagua Express. Joaquin Oyarzun and his team were perfectly dedicated to the comfort, safety and enjoyment of my clients. It is this type of dedication to service that I search out when I lead trips. It is what guarantees a successful trip. Nature will deliver what it will. Outstanding infrastructure provides the comforts and support that keeps clients coming back.

Jean Pavillard
UIAGM / IFMGA Internationally Certified Mountain Guide World Wide Adventures
Switzerland

Let me just say thank you for how you were with my wife while I was on the mountain. This was a very important to me and I am very pleased that you were so helpful with letting my wife know what was going on.
Leo was a fantastic guide with great energy, and I could not ask for a better companion for the duration of the trip!! All in all, the trip was fantastic and well organized!!
Anyhow, thanks again for all your hospitality and helpfullness…you guys should be proud of your business!

Erhard Zeising
USA

Volevo ringraziarti di tutto per quello che hai fatto tu e i tuoi collabori durante la nostra permanenza in Argentina. Hai dei collaboratori molto bravi anche a Plaza Argentina siamo stati trattati benissimo specialmente da Carolina che con la sua bravura e disponibilità ci ha coccolati per tutta la nostra permanenza. Io penso che, non so ancora quando, ma ritorneremo in Argentina e stai sicuro che torneremo ancora con i servizi dell’Aconcagua Express. Ciao saluta e ringrazia tutti i tuoi collaboratori, un saluto particolare a Carolina.

Renzo Dalla Bona Italian Team
Italy

Everything went very smooth, it was great to have a small bag of stuff sent from Plaza Argentina around to Plaza de Mulas, as we could have clean underwear, socks and our trail shoes without having to carry them to high camp.

Tatiana seemed very knowledgeable with first aid and altitude sickness, and seemed well prepared.  Tatiana’s food was awesome. The other groups in our camps were jealous when all they had was rice and we had fresh baked pizza in Camp 2! A couple mornings in base camp, there was not much provided for breakfast (one day was only toast) and we finally had to ask them each day to make eggs.

Joaquin was very helpful with all of my requests, and very quick to respond, which is one of the main reasons I selected KL Adventure to work with on this trip.

The transfers and transport was fine.  All vehicles were comfortable and there was plenty of room.  Hyatt is awesome of course. Penitentes is not great, but obviously there is no other option.

The trip was great, we will definitely work with you again for our 2010 climb, and also hope to add a Patagonia trip in the near future. It was also nice to have Joaquin meet the group in Mendoza and to spend more time with him on the drive to Santiago. We would definitely want to have Tatiana as our guide again.  She was exceptional and there was not another guide on the mountain I would have rather had than her. It is also very nice to have a local guide as your leader, better in my opinion than having American or European guides.

Billi also did a very nice job, as an assistant guide she was great.  The two of them worked very well together.

Andrew Nachman Northwest Voyageur
USA

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