Refugio Lo Valdes – constructed by members of DAV in the Cajon del Maipo (Chile) in 1932 for $40.000.- Chilean pesos – was considered a milestone for mountaineering in its era as the first refugio in the Chilean Andes and probably in the whole of South America.

A member and someone who knew the mountains well, Federico Fickenscher, suggested various places and after exhaustive discussions they decided on the current site in Lo Valdes for the following reasons:

• A road existed up to the site.
• Easy and economic access existed by train from Santiago to El Volcan from where people could follow on by foot.
• Because Baños Morales doesnot receive much sun the winter season could be extended.
• The site is close to an area which is always populated.
• Closeness to the thermal baths of Colina and Morales.
• Access to a water supply in the form of the Lo Valdes stream.
• An attractive location during the summer as a starting point for beautiful excursions.

Easter 1932 was the inauguration of the refugio – the German, Chilean and Austrian flags billowed out from the front of the refugio at last. Refugio Lo Valdes... where a hiker can rest after a long day, eat well and find a comfortable and warm place during a cold night.

Thanks to Arne for the text and to Roberto for the translation.

Download the whole history in PDF- CLICK HERE