Piuquenes Pass (Andes Crossing)

Following the historic path used by the Army of the Andes in 1817, this 6-day trans-Andean expedition traverses the central cordillera from Mendoza, Argentina, to the Cajón del Maipo in Chile. The route crosses two significant high-altitude barriers—Portillo Argentino (4,330m) and Paso Piuquenes (4,030m). Hikers move through a high desert landscape of volcanic rock, vast glacial valleys, and the powerful Tunuyán River. The terrain consists primarily of rocky mountain paths, loose scree on the steeper pass approaches, and high-altitude plateaus where exposure to wind and sun is constant.

Sarek National Park is considered Europe's last true wilderness: no marked trails, no cabins, no bridges over raging glacial rivers, and no cell service. However, on the very eastern edge of Sarek lies Mt. Skierfe (1,179m), boasting a sheer 700-meter vertical drop overlooking the braided, turquoise waters of the Rapadalen delta. The view from the top is universally acclaimed as the most beautiful in all of Sweden. To reach it without undertaking a strenuous 10-day survival expedition deep into Sarek, hikers take a multi-day detour off the Kungsleden trail to the STF Aktse hut. From Aktse, Skierfe is climbed as a demanding 10-mile (16km) round-trip day hike through dense birch forests and steep alpine tundra, terminating at the demanding, unprotected cliff edge.