“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
