Situation of the expéditions : the Campo de Hielo Continental

Hielo Continental is the third glacial mass on earth, after Antarctica and Greenland. It spreads over 21,000 km², most of which in Chile (only 2,600 km² in Argentina). Hielo Continental is 480 km long (between South latitudes 46º30’ and 51º30’) and a maximum of 60 km large (on longitude 73 West).

He's mostly in Chili and, for a few part (2.600 km²), in argentina.

On the West, the Pacific Ocean and fjords. It was the Indiens Alakalufs territories.

> Its main summits have become legends. Cerro Torre, Fitz Roy, Lautaro or the San Valentin, often challenged but rarely conquered, are amongst the most emblematic summits of the world for climbers. In contrast however, most of the splendid glaciers and lesser summits have remained virgin territory to explore.

> With almost 20,000 inhabitants, Puerto Natales is the closest Chilean town and located less than 80 km South of the glacier. It is the ideal base to start from. To the East on the Argentinean side lie two towns: El Calafaté and El Chalten. The West is even less populated with small fishing ports such as Puerto de Eden or PuertoYungay, all bordering the fjords.

> The two national parks Torres del Paine (Chile) and Los Glaciares (Argentina) are two paramount natural reserves for fauna and flora. In 1981, the UNESCO has declared Los Glaciares World Heritage and is currently studying the addition of other areas around Hielo Sur.