* Topos. The actual route topos and descriptions are kept at Refugio Cochamó's library, but you can access the digital high resolution topo images in the climbing topos section. Some route detailed descriptions, photos and topos can be found in the routes section.

Description

Thousand meter granite walls border the valley along the Cochamó River. Valle Cochamó's rock provides route potential beyond the imagination. The area has already become a world class climbing destination, with first ascents from people from almost every continent on the globe. If you're into long routes, sport routes and establishing new routes or just hanging in a gorgeous landscape, Valle Cochamó is one of South America's best.

The area has minimal development compared to its potential but more than 160 routes already exist. The rock quality is excellent. Nevertheless, unclimbed cracks tend to be dirty and vegetated in places.

Many groups opt for easier days on cragging areas, which are popping up around the valley. These include sport, mixed and crack routes from 5.6 to 5.13.

Many climbers familiar with Yosemite Valley have found Valle Cochamó to have many common features, as well as differences. Comparing the two may be sinful, but as you enter between the glacially-formed granite walls it's difficutlt not to. Long bold lines make their way to the top. Cochamó, however, lacks some of Yosemite's obvious aspects. Traffic, motors and generator noise don't exist since there are no roads. Ranger Jo won't say you have surpassed your two-week limit stay or arrest you for sleeping in a cave. Camping will not likely fill up either. Freedom reins in the Valle Cochamó.

This also means, however, that the routes can be still dirty and vegetated. Trails to the walls don't always exist because so many still have not been touched. Vegetation flourishes in this Valdivian rainforest on the approach and sometimes in the cracks.

See the essential beta page for more detailed info for planning your Cochamó climbing trip.

Map of Zones, Walls & Crags