San Valentin, First Winter Ascent. The correct altitude of San Valentin has not been determined with complete accuracy. It is given either as 4058 or 3876 meters (13,314 or 12,716 feet). It is surely the highest of the Patagonian Andes. The first winter ascent was made on August 7 by Italians Casimiro Ferrari, Egidio Spreafico, Carlo Buzzi and Giuliano Maresi. They climbed the west ridge. That same day Dino Piazza and Giorgio Sacerdoti climbed Cerro Fierro (3300 meters, 10,872 feet). The expedition was flown to Laguna San Rafael. They ascended to the Northern Patagonian Icecap and skied for five days to reach the mountain. They were back on August 11 at the lake, having had a difficult descent in bad weather.

Silvia Metzeltin Buscaini, Club Alpino Italiano