South America, Argentina-Chilean Patagonia, Cerro Torre, West-East Traverse

Publication Year: 1995.

Cerro Torre, West-East Traverse. Frenchmen David Autheman, Fred Valet and Patrick Pessi became the first climbers to complete the traverse of Cerro Torre. From December 2 to 5, 1994, they repeated the difficult Ferrari route. Large sections of very steep rock were covered with ice and the trio had to climb using piolet-traction. Near the top, they were trapped for 48 hours by a snowstorm. They spent the fourth night on the summit. They started down the Maestri bolt route but by mistake switched to the Slovene east-face route. After twelve hours of hard struggle, they reached the eastern foot of the mountain. At Base Camp, they were surpised to meet Casimiro Ferrari, who had arrived to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his great success on Cerro Torre.

Józef Nyka, Editor, Taternik, Poland