We had an all-round good end to the season in the winter and northern summer in Las Lenas, Argentina: the weather remained good and the spring temperatures spoiled us with the best firn every day. After a long week of big tours, we took it a little easier on the last few days of the season and skied the countless variants in the ski area.Only on one cloudy day did we go in search of powder snow again: we found it at Torrecillas.
On the last day of the season, we were hit by another low, meaning that the upper part of the resort and the Martelift had to remain closed due to wind. But the low also brought us 30 centimetres of fresh snow in the valley. Snow that wanted to be skied. So we decided to stay a few days longer to enjoy the last descents from the valley with skins on.
On the first day after the end of the season, we decided to climb up to Cerro Yeseras, one of the highest peaks in the valley at just over 4000 meters above sea level. So 1800 meters of altitude awaited us on the ascent. We were stopped by the ski patrol at the start of the ascent to the summit and told to turn around, as skiing was prohibited throughout the valley. Regardless of this, we continued our ascent. Shortly after we turned off the dirt road into open terrain, we heard loud whistles and a car behind us; the local security service was following us. But the rough terrain makes our pursuers quickly turn back. With the certainty that this would be our last tour in Vallee Las Lenas this year, we continued our ascent. After five hours, we reached the summit. Due to the flat light and the low cloud cover, we decided to ski down the El Ripio couloir. It was a good choice, the snow was good and the walls provided a contrast to the otherwise monotonous white.
Throughout the season, there were repeated problems and conflicts with Skipatrol and the local safety service due to closed descents and closed touring terrain: on the one hand, there was a lack of information about closed and open descents; on the other hand, the reasons for the closure were often incomprehensible. One day, for example, we were informed that the freeride area was closed due to rain in the weather forecast. But a quick look up showed us bright blue skies.
So we left Las Lenas the next day for Mendoza to enjoy our last days in Argentina with steak and wine.
Text and photos: Moritz Morlok
