South America, Tierra del Fuego, Argentine Patagonia, Various Activity

Publication Year: 1999.

Argentine Patagonia, Various Activity. We stayed in Patagonia from December 2, 1998, to February 16, 1999. In this time we climbed the following peaks: Cerro Solo, December 8; Aguja Guillaumet, Via Amy, December 20, in seven hours from Paso Superior and back, on our second attempt; Fitz Roy, Franco-Argentine Route, January 10, 1999, in 19 hours from Paso Superior and back, on our third attempt (we descended in a storm); Poincenot, via the Whillans Route, on January 14, in about 12 hours from Paso Superior and back, on our third attempt; Mermoz, via Vela y Viento, the new route by Kurt Albert and Bernd Arnold on the Red Pillar, on January 16 on our first attempt, a wonderful climb and an excellent line. We also made two attempts to the Shoulder/Ice Cave of Cerro Torre between January 27-February 10.

The weather conditions this season was very unstable, so we are really glad that we were able to climb so many peaks without any accidents. We enjoyed our stay and will come back soon.

Andy Maag and Ilona Bleuler, Switzerland