Rock Climb in Patagonia's La Buitrera Canyon

Piedra Parada is an enormous rock feature standing alone in the desert of the Chubut Region of Argentina. Marking the entrance to a long, winding canyon, Piedra Parada has endless possibilities for rock climbing. Because Piedra Parada is located hours from any town, there is no internet or cell phone service – being there is a true adventure.

Inside of La Buitrera Canyon, just across the Chubut River, you will find 27 different climbing areas, with grades ranging between 5.5 and 5.14. The area was popularized and heavily developed during the Petzl RocTrip in 2012, when world-class climbers came to establish some truly amazing lines.

There are trad routes, multi-pitch sport climbs, and many single-pitch sport climbs. The majority of routes are vertical or barely overhanging. If you do some searching, there are some quality slab and roof routes, as well. The routes are generally quite tall, so a 45 meter rope is ideal. Climbing is free to the public and guidebooks can be found online.

Campers often stay on the Moncado's ranch, owned by a local family that has seemingly been there since the beginning of time. Climbing is just a few minutes' hike from the ranch, which is fully operational, with horses and cows that traverse freely through the campground. Mrs. Moncado will sell you eggs from her chickens or meat from the cattle. Be sure to bring plenty of your own food for the trip, however, because the Moncado's will not always have food available for purchase. A general knowledge of Spanish is a must, as it is the only language spoken there. The cost of camping is equivalent to $3 per night.

After a long day of climbing, be sure to take a quick swim in the river near the campground, or enjoy an Argentinian Malbec, which you can usually purchase from the Moncado's.