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70Stephan
The crossing is through astoundingly beautiful lakes and mountains. It is very well organised and run.
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214simonf
we had a great morning's hiking with JJ as our guide. His English was first rate and his knowledge of the area and the terrain excellent. We did a half day Bella Vista hike. JJ has a real love of the flora, fauna and wildlife, as well as a good knowledge of Argentinian history. This is a very steep hike with excellent views at the end- I don't think we could have done this without a guide, and certainly wouldn't have had nearly as enjoyable a time
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443jimc
I cannot say enough good about Andescross. I was in Bariloche for 4 days during the beginning of their ski season and I was looking for a guide to show me around. What I got was so much more than I could have hoped for.From first contact, Jorge was very responsive and professional. By asking all the right questions, he was able to customize a trip for me that I could not have imagined on my own. I went from just wanting someone to show me around Cerro Catedral, to having an introduction to backcountry skiing.Upon arrival, Jorge met me along with my guide Craig and we mapped out a plan that would allow for some flexibility. Craig turned out to be an amazing guide. He is not only extremely knowledgeable, but he is also a gifted teacher, safe and, like Jorge, a great guy to be around. He basically took me through a 4 day progression where I spent two days at Cerro Catedral, the first a beautiful day to get used to skiing again, and the second where he took full advantage of a completely socked in day to teach me how to use touring bindings and skins, make kick turns and practice some avalanche training. It was amazing how much I got out of what would have otherwise been a down day.These first two days were great in and of themselves but what they were really doing was preparing me for the experience of a lifetime and that was heading out to Baguales - a backcountry lodge about an hour or so from Bariloche. This place is phenomenal and I would highly recommend checking it out if you can. It was my first true experience with backcountry skiing and boy was I hooked! We spent two beautiful days skinning up and skiing down great terrain. I was stretched but always felt safe and got to experience skiing and the mountains in a way that words cannot adequately describe. And as amazing as that was, as amazing as the skiing was, and as amazing as mountains are, it was just a part of the overall experience. I felt immersed in Argentinean culture as we all shared in an absolutely delicious asado; something I will never forget. Sharing matte with Craig and Jorge on the drive, talking about football as Argentina progressed towards the world cup, listening to stories, music and sharing in their passion for mountain culture, I felt like I was with friends in a magical place. I want to thank Jorge and Craig for everything. This was not only guiding at its best. It was Argentina at its best. I am indeed grateful and hope to return again!
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jimbospl
In 2007 I visited Bariloche Argentina with my 26 year old daughter. I wanted a real experience not some overpriced cattle car tour and research turned up Andescross - a young company with a sole owner and employee - Jorge Kozul. He customized an amazing backcountry hut to hut experience which was exactly what the discriminating hiker wants!! So returning 7 years later and having a free day in Bariloche I contacted Jorge having followed his company growth over the years to guide trips here, ski - technical rock - trekking trips in The alps , Antarctica, Norway, Iceland, Alaska as well as Patagonia - this guy can push the envelope yet he took the time out to take us out on a day trip here in the Andes. We scrambled a less traveled route to jaw dropping views ( and we have seen some pretty amazing places in our travels) . and coming from winter in our first hike of the season he took this into account and made the day work without trashing the hell out of us for the rest of our trip.if you want custom adventure travel for a day here or more give Andescross a look - if he can put it together and he will so it well and it will be memorable!
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PTelan
This is going to be a lengthy review because Andescross is just that good and there is no real way to concisely convey why they are so good at what they do in just a paragraph or two. simply put, Jorge and his guides are experts on this region and will make sure that you squeeze every ounce of fun, laughter and wonder out of your trip with him.Our group of 10 (5 fathers and 5 h.s. senior sons) hired Jorge to lead our 5 day trip through Patagonia and our entire group (many of us who have travelled extensively around the world) agreed that this one was one of the most amazing trips that any of us had ever taken! Jorge is a very experienced mountain guide who is very safety conscious but equally as mindful about making the trip as enjoyable as possible. He is funny, lighthearted and great with teens. He loves hard rock and will spontaneously break out into song when you least expect it. Jorge is a planner but made it clear to us that sure that our plans would need to be flexible because the weather in the mountains is predictably unpredictable. While we did change plans once due to weather, plan B, as we joked, turned out to be amazing.Jorge put together a team of unbelievable guides to help him lead the trek. Craig, a Charming Scottsman, who has lived his entire life in Argentina, was like a navy seal leading portions of the trek. He was funny and lighthearted but absolutely unwavering when it came to safety. He spent time getting to know each of the dads and teens and really bonded with our group.JJ, a graduate philosophy major from Argentina, was like a mountain goat! The guy would race ahead of our group at high altitudes jumping from dock to rock and leaping over crevasses to scout the bestows sable route up the mountain or down the trail. In addition, he was always smiling and came across as one of the most positive people that I agave met. JJ also took turns leading portions of our treks.Our porters, Diego, Hermann and Dennis were also experienced mountaineers who were as friendly as they were strong. These guys carried packs that probably weighed in excess of 100lbs across, up and down steep mountain passes and across the glaciers.The area around Mt Tronador is beyond spectacular. Our glaciers, mountains and jungles trek was perfect as we were able to see the wide variety of ecosystems and microclimates that are home to this region. Jorge and his team would point out little details that we certainly would not have picked up on, while leading us through the diverse landscape. At night, we would either stay in a well appointed hut or would sleep in tents, which Jorge and his crew would set up for us in advance. The food at the huts was amazing and the people who staff the huts are engaging and friendly. Jorge suggested a number of side excursions after our arrival at camp, and although we may have been a bit tired at the time, we are so glad we mustered the energy to ice climb into and out of glacier crevasses!Words and even pictures do not do justice to The great job that Jorge and his crew did for us. The helped make memories for each of us that will last a lifetime and helped instill a sense of wonder into the boys that will hopefully take the back to this wonderful part of the world again and beyond!
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andrewl832
Salimos con Luciano,,, unos de los mejores escaladores en Argentina y un maravilloso Guia. Nos sentimos tan seguros todo el tiempo y era super amable el, me gustaria regresar a Argentina solo para salir a escalar con el, les sugero a todos usar el servicio de Andescross.We went out with Luciano... one of the best climbers in Argentina and an amazing guide. We felt safe the whole time and he took time to explain new knots and climbing techniques to us. He is so nice and was always looking out for us. I really want to come back to Argentina just to climb again with him. Andescross is an amazing service and I suggest anyone take advantage.
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772jacquesf
I retained Andescross' services for a day of multi pitch rock climbing at Cerro Catedral (Bariloche, Argentina) last December 30th. Rain and howling winds ruined our chances of climbing that venue but Jorge Kozulj and his colleague Craig Ross had a plan B as they whisked us 45 minutes away from the bad weather to the famed valle Encantado (the enchanted valley) where we found sunshine and plein t'y of great walls to climb. Their services were very professionnal and courteous, their climbing approach was safety oriented, and as well as being great conversionalists, their gourmet sandwiches accompagnied by the ritual sharing of yerba maté was a treat in itself. I highly recommend this team and will gladly return to Bariloche for a repeat experience ... Hopefully I'll get to Cerro Catedral next time !
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rjblackwell79
I have recently returned from my fourth trip with Jorge. I have skied with him in his backyard in Bariloche (the terrain from the Frey hut in particular is incredible), Norway, Iceland and most recently Antarctica. All great trips, Jorge is a lot if fun to ski with but is also a very safe and sensible guide when in the backcountry
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959SusanS
Our family of four (two adults and two teens aged 14 and 16) climbed Mt. Tronador with Andescross in late December of 2012. It was a wonderful experience. From our first email contact to our last ice cream run in Bariloche together, the owner/operator, Jorge, was responsive and helpful. He not only guided us on an exciting and challenging climb but he gave advice and logistical help for all aspects of our time in Bariloche. Jorge recommended a delightful B & B in Bariloche and met us there the night before we began our two day climb to discuss conditions and go over our equipment. He also recommended and coordinated an excellent kayaking trip with a local company for us after our climb. He even drove my husband to a pharmacy to get medicine for our son. While on the mountain his expertise, patience and knowledge of the terrain made us all feel safe and able to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Patagonia. Jorge is personable, speaks great English and has an equally outstanding staff. Luciano, who also accompanied us on Tronador was just as competent on the mountain as Jorge. Do not hesitate to contact Andescross and Jorge for a mountaineering adventure. We’d love to do another trip with him.
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DuncanRal
I found Andescross on the web and got a very warm, fast and informative response from Jorge. Since then I have been on two ski mountaineering trips with Jorge including a section of the Haute Route from Chamonix and a three week expedition to Patagonia where we climbed 3 ski peaks including a life changing experience on the South Patagonia Ice Cap.What I liked about Jorge from the start is his passion for what he does and his love of the mountain environment in which he is blessed to work. Mountain guiding is an extremely hard profession - you are "on duty" all the time in the mountains because weather and terrain can constantly challenge the group and the guide and necessitate continual risk assessment decisions. If anyone reading this has ever doubted the value of an experience guide like Jorge, then you have not been scared enough on a mountain - I have, and when it happens you realise that these guys quite simply keep you alive if the going gets tough. The guide also has to quickly understand his clients skills and fitness levels and juggle all these factors in the often difficult conditions. Jorge is an excellent guide because he does all these things with a positive, happy disposition and great humour. Communication skills are also really important and he will often confer with the group to explain risks and options that are ahead - getting this communication right, as Jorge does, means that the mountaineering experience is much more bespoke and rewarding. Here's the bonus - he also liked the Pink Floyd on my i-phone, which passed quite a few hours on the 20 hour drive across Patagonia!We were a group of 4 in Patagonia, who did not know one another beforehand and got on extremely well. Jorge planned the expedition well, always taking a cautious approach to safety and ensuring food and shelter was sufficient. Up on the wilderness of the ice pack it takes a minimum of 2 days for help to reach you on foot if there is an accident (no helicopter help) - a cautious approach is important!Jorge is very focussed on flexible client service - always checking whether you are happy with equipment, accommodation and food options.I have been skiing and mountaineering for about 30 years and have been out with a number of guides over the years. I would wholeheartedly recommend Jorge - he is an excellent guide and a great person who I now regard as my friend! Duncan Ralph (UK)
