Where to go in Southern Andes in January.

I'm not fully qualified to answer, as I only did one side of the Andes(remaining in Argentina) and I was only there during mid winter, so my choice of activities were different: ski-touring, snow shoeing, snow kiting, snowboarding. However I felt a real magic about a number of places I visited there, my favourite of which I thought I'd share.

Ushuaia is a low-tax, party-town outpost and good base to explore largely untrammelled Tierra del Fuego, with it's curious mix of oceanic and scaled-down (to about 4000ft elevation) alpine surroundings. I understand there are some remote trekking opportunities in the area. While most of the other visitors go out on boats to see the local sea life, I'd head on any trail going West, and get close up views of the dramatic Darwin Mountains.

I wish you a great trip.

Oliver

BTW, it's worth noting that the yellow fungi that grow on the trees are bland but edible and can supplement your rations – Cyttaria darwinii (Darwin’s fungus)!

A friend of mine with whom I will be traveling said this:
"it's only about 150 miles from calafate to o'higgins. Wonder if that's hikable."

Hikeable on roads… sure… Any trails? doable XC routes?

Also looking for mountains. Aconcagua would be severely rad, but would take up a lot of time by it self with proper acclimatization… Unless… whatchya think? Yes I do have some alpinism experience: Crampon, ice axe, rock, rescue, short rope… Could be game for something less technical in that area… Ideas?

Another option is Monte San Valentin, at about 13,400 I think is the Highest peak in southern Chile/Argentina. I would be interested in climbing that.

Also looking for some fjord paddling, easier rivers, class II easy III maybe. Kayak or packraftable.