Patagonian Icefield Research Program 2025
The fifth expedition of the Patagonian Icefield Research Program will take place at Bernal Glacier between November 12 and December 1, 2025. This is our second expedition to Bernal Glacier, which is the largest of the five outlet glaciers that descend from Cordillera de Sarmiento into the waters of Fiordo de las Montañas (the fjord of the mountains). Bernal Glacier is located 60 km west of Puerto Natales in southern Patagonia. There, surrounded by Patagonian fjords, we will spend twelve days on this fascinating glacier, in the heart of Kawésqar National Park, where the students will learn to work and coexist with a natural, wild and pristine environment.
We will reach Bernal Glacier with a 4-hour navigation in a fast boat and set up our camp within a Lenga Forest on the Little Ice Age moraine of Bernal Glacier, which we will be able to reach every day with a 30-minute walk. To learn more about the area, you can have a look at the UNCHARTED Project and their map of the Cordillera de Sarmiento.
Important dates
June 16, 2025
Student and Scholarship applications open (scholarships available only for students from low-income countries )
June 16, 2025
Volunteer faculty applications open
July 03, 2025
Volunteer faculty application deadline
July 10, 2025
Scholarship application deadline (scholarships available only for students from low-income countries )
July 10, 2025
Volunteer faculty selection results informed
July 31, 2025
Scholarship recipients published
August 7, 2025
Students application deadline
August 21, 2025
Student selection results published
September 04, 2025
Enrollement fee due (for students without scholarship)
November 12, 2025
PIRP 2025 Starts!
Meeting in Puerto Natales for introductions and gear check at 10:00 AM
November 13, 2024
Tent camp setup practices and other activities in Puerto Natales
November 14, 2025
Transportation from Puerto Natales to the base camp at Bernal Glacier
November 15,-16 2025
Learning life in the field techniques
November 17-19, 2025
Learning glaciology field techniques
November 21-26, 2025
Work on research projects
November 27, 2025
Return to Puerto Natales
November 28, 2025
Data sorting, analysis and presentations preparation
November 29, 2025
Potluck and quick presentations to the Puerto Natales community at 7:00 p.m. on Cacique Mulato restaurant
November 30, 2025
Data sorting and projects discussions
December 1, 2025
End of the program at 10 AM