Expedition to the Patagonian Ice Fields: Military Training or Survival Adventure?
In a place where the wind cuts the skin and the ice seems to have no end, a group of Argentine and Italian soldiers embarked on an expedition like no other military exercise. Between September 29 and October 8, 2025, they conducted a binational expedition to the heart of Los Glaciares National Park, Santa Cruz province.
### Ten days at the edge of the world
The journey began with long days of marching through dense forests, followed by skiing exercises on untouched snow and progressions with crampons on live ice. Every move was calculated. Every decision, a test of endurance and precision.
### Where technique becomes survival
In an environment where mistakes can be costly, technical preparation is the difference between advancing and getting trapped. The use of cross-country skis allows covering long distances with less fatigue, while crampons are essential to maintain stability on ice and steep slopes.
### The science of teamwork
Therefore, the team spirit becomes as vital a tool as the ice ax. Each member of the patrol must know the rhythm of the others, anticipate their movements, detect signs of exhaustion or hypothermia, and respond immediately. Teamwork is not taught in manuals; it is forged through experience. During this expedition, Argentine and Italian patrols learned to trust each other blindly, maintain morale amidst the white silence, and lead by example.
