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Aconcagua Express

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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

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

Le voyage était parfait, avec l’immense satisfaction d’avoir été en haut de l’aconcagua !
Excellent guides, very professional and very dedicated to the success of the expedition. Very good logistics (transfers, mules); Pre-Read materials (Aconcagua book, map…) were very good; Excellent hotel in Mendoza (Hyatt!)

I would definitely recommend KL Expeditions / Aconcagua Express Expeditions.

Pascal Tiercelin
France

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

Mecha (Gabriel Rocamora) was a great lead guide, I can’t recommend him highly enough !

Edouard Derom
USA

The memories I have of our trekking on Aconcagua is one of my fondest. It was a most fantastic experience…. one which I will treasure for the rest of my life. Thank you and your team members for making it possible. I very much enjoyed the personal one-on-one relationships we developed with you and your team. Your professionalism and desire to please the customer is very evident and commendable.

Thomas Kremlin
Austria

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

Hallo Joaquin
Ich möchte mich auf diesem Weg für Dein perfektes Service bei unserer Aconcagua Expedition bedanken. Es war von Anfang an eine Freude mit Dir zusammen zu arbeiten. Die Transfers, sowie die Reservierung und Bezahlung der Permits haben wunderbar geklappt, auch die Hotels waren einfach klasse.

Es gilt besonders hervor zu heben die Flexibilität von Aconcagua Express bei Terminänderungen und die Freundlichkeit der Mitarbeiter. Ich werde Dich und Deine Firma auf alle Fälle bei den Alpinschulen in Österreich, Italien und Deutschland weiterempfehlen.

Christine und Werner
Austria

Hallo Joaquin,
Nun bin ich schon einen Monat zurück in Deutschland und denke immernoch jeden Tag an die tolle Bergtour zum Aconcagua. Du glaubst nicht wie glücklich ich bin, daß ich das geschaft habe. Dies habe ich im besonderen Dir und Deinem Unternehmen Aconcagua Express zu verdanken. Mit Tom Torkelson hatten wir einen super Bergführer der zum einen eine sehr schöne Route zum Gipfel geführt hat, Vacas Route, die zum anderen auch eine optimale Aklimatisation ermöglicht hat. Die gesamte Organisation war vom Anfang bis zum Ende sehr gut. Es gibt wirklich nichts was ich meine, was besser gemacht werden könnte. Wenn Du neue Kunden aus Deutschland oder Europa hast, die Fragen zur Aconcaguabesteigung haben, kannst Du Ihnen gerne meine email-Adresse geben, damit Sie Kontakt mit mir aufnehmen können.
Vielen vielen Dank!!

Johannes Niedeggen
Deutschland

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

Frans Cromme
Netherlands

Lieber Joaquin,
Da ich annehme, dass ich Dich nicht mehr vor meiner Abreise sehen werde wollte ich mich auf diesem Weg nochmals bei Dir bedanken. Es hat alles so gut geklappt! Und auch Deine Unterstuetzung bei dem zweiten Teil meiner Reise nach Patagonien war fuer mich eine grosse Hilfe!!

Das Satelittentelefon habe ich eingepackt und werde es Ralf bringen. Ich wuerde mich freuen von Dir zu hoeren. Fuer Deine Arbeit und Deine Bergtouren wuensche ich Dir weiterhin viel Glueck.
Herzliche Gruesse

Beate Boltz
Germany

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