During an extended trip through South America, James Monypenny (U.K.) made what’s probably the second solo ascent of the south face of Illimani (6,439m) in the Cordillera Real. With some variations, he ascended the route climbed in 1978 by Christian Jacquier and Alain Mesili, descended below Nido de Condores along the normal route—all in a 31-hour push—and then flew down from there using a lightweight paraglider. This was probably the third ascent of this line. Illimani’s south face was first soloed by Patrick Gabarrou in 1988, making the first ascent of the route Hubert Ducroz.

– Lindsday Griffin