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In early September, Cristobal "Chopo" Alamiro Diaz and I, Drew Michael Tabke, spent the night in Rufugio Plantat de Volcan San Jose. Though the central Andes were having a very low snow year, Valle de La Engorda at the head of Cajon de Maipo still had some huge skiable runs that we were interested in climbing and skiing.
The plan was to stay at the Refugio on the lower slopes of 19,200' Volcan San Jose, rise early, and tick off one of the lines on the opposing ridge that local snowmo-assisted snowboarders (including Chopo's brother Manuel), who suggested this area to us, had dubbed "Little Portillo." (Shown above.)
After some nice skiing in the area of the refugio, an amazing sunset, and some good food, we slept soundly in the sturdy ~70 year old stone house. We got up at 6am to find 10 foot visibility outside, and each consecutive hour that I rose to look out the door I found the same thing. So it was with heavy hearts that we bailed on skiing anything "rad" and instead skied the looong run out to our car, each packing a huge bag of trash from the refuge strapped to our backs.
Video by Chopo:
Volcan San Jose from near Banos Morales.
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