ENG:Cerro Roble Alto

Profile of Cerro Roble Alto via roblería

'Note' : This route is considerably longer than a direct ascent on the East side. However, the path is much clearer, you can enjoy the oak tree, and you get a pleasant walk along the Somali plateau overlooking the Andes.

From the gate (km 0 - 537m), move towards the white metal structure along the wide vehicular road. Soon you will go through an informative map, which indicates the lagoon as "reservoir". The route throughout this stretch is very clear, and with little slope. At km 2.4 (740m) you pass by a clear path that starts to the left, but you should not take it, but continue to the right along the vehicular road.

At km 3.6 (880m) you will reach an elbow on the road, where there is a large pipe. There is a temptation to continue straight, but not: follow along the elbow, always by the vehicular road. It has already gained a certain height, and the valley of Lampa begins to be visible behind us.

At km 5.5 (1060m), already with the narrowest footprint, you come to a bifurcation. Both lead to destination, but if you want to supply water you must take the left. 70 meters ahead of said point, there is a new fork: on the left, the clearest footprint, leads to the only point with water on the route (all year round) in the shade of a leafy forest of quillayes. Accessing the estuary implies a detour of 75 meters, which must then be retraced. To the right, the route that leads to the lagoon, and that at this point begins to win slope. Here the promotion begins in earnest.

At km 5.9 (1120m) you come to an unclear fork: if you are not careful, you will follow the wide footprint (red route) but you can also take the less marked footprint on the left (yellow route). Both arrive at destination and the distance is very similar.

At km 6.9 (1330m) the oak grove begins, which will accompany us almost to the end. The route zigzags to climb the slope. It is a section that, although it has a steep slope, is very green and pleasant. In autumn, it advances on a mattress of leaves. As there are almost no people, for a moment one forgets that we are a few kilometers from a megalopolis of six million inhabitants. At km 7.5 (1470m) the path passes next to the Oak Mother, a much thicker specimen than the rest.

At km 8.7 (1960m) you leave the oak forest. Right at this point, there is a large concrete landmark on the ground. It continues ascending through mountain pastures. Here the path can be lost a little, but the important thing is to continue ascending in the north direction.

After about 300 meters of walk from the forest exit, when the path begins to turn towards the North and before reaching the highest point of this area of ​​the massif, you must leave the path (leading to the Laguna del Inca de Altos de Chicauma) and turn left (waypoint "Leave main trail"). It is not a clear or unique point, but the important thing is not to lose height and start the advance towards the true summit of the massif.

You must advance across the cross country for the next 840 meters. It will be climbed by very gentle slope and in between grasslands and small shrubs towards the back that is located directly towards the West. Without reaching its highest point, skirt it on the right. You will arrive at a corral made with pircas. Border this pen at its southern end (the closest to the cliff) to find the point where the slope to the south has lost slope and can be lowered. There is no path, and it is the most uncomfortable part of the route, although it is not difficult.

After descending only 90 meters (horizontally) you reach (km 9.8 - 2090m) an unusual road, built by a mining company. From now on, it only remains to walk 3 kilometers along this road to the summit. It is a very pleasant walk: almost flat (only goes down to 2038m), and with a permanent view of the valley of Santiago and the Cordillera de Los Andes.

Expected time

Consider something five to six hours uphill, and four hours downhill.

	Esta ruta es gratis y no se requiere permiso

It is about private property. There is a sign that says "Private Enclosure | Do Not Pass," but this refers to vehicle access. Further on there is a public information map, with a description of the route and the characteristics of the area.

• Checklist: Aunque sepas perfectamente lo que debes llevar, es preferible chequearlo al empacar. Esta ruta ha sido clasificada como Type 1 equipment checklist: low altitude route, without camping, snow or cold.
• As the best date for this route is the beginning of June, when the days are short, it is advisable to leave extremely early, to avoid running out of light when returning.
• Even leaving very early, in autumn or winter should bring headlight

Weather forecast

• Meteochile Region of Valparaíso
  
• Accuweather Valparaíso
  
• Accuweather Viña del Mar
  
• Meteochile Metropolitan Region
  
• Accuweather Santiago
  
• Accuweather Puente Alto

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  Monte Aconcagua from the Alto Roble massif, July 2017

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