Similar to the previous season, the weather in the summer of 2024–25 was statistically “average,” with mean temperature and levels of precipitation, which meant there were few favorable windows and mostly difficult conditions. After quite a few anomalously dry and warm seasons, some climbers appear to have forgotten that weather in Patagonia is challenging. 

There were no fatalities in the mountains this season; however, tragically, there was a fatal accident in the front country, on one of the multipitch rock climbs at the base of Cerro Eléctrico, when a climber rappelled off the end of his ropes. Seven serious rockfall accidents occurred in the mountains. These resulted in broken bones and, in one case, a severe concussion. Three of the accidents required external rescues.

The most dramatic incident occurred when a team that spent three days climbing the Supercanaleta reached the summit of Cerro Chaltén (Fitz Roy) utterly exhausted. Apparently unfamiliar with the area’s limitations, they requested a helicopter rescue. As they started down the Franco-Argentine Route, they lost a rope at the first steep rappel and made a critical route-finding error by descending south instead of southeast. It took them three days to descend to La Silla, where rescuers met them and assisted them to the glacier. Their inReach device ran out of battery because it was set to tracking mode to share their live location on social media. One of the climbers suffered severe frostbite.

In addition to the routes described elsewhere in this edition (see reports here and here), Tasio Martin and Ibon Mendia (Spain) established Dardara (450m, 7a A0) on the east face of Aguja Mermoz, just left of Pilar Rojo. Meanwhile, Alessandro Baù, Matteo Della Bordella, and Mirco Grasso (Italy) opened ¿Quién sigue? (350m, 7a A1) on the east face of Aguja Val Biois, immediately right of La Torcida.

Pedro Navarro and Tomás and Pedro Odell (Argentina) completed Efecto Mariposa, an 11-pitch new route on the lower east pillar of Aguja Standhardt. They encountered difficulties up to 6c and A1. After crossing the snow ramps at mid-height, they continued to the summit via Exocet.

In December, Mati Korten (Argentina) and Ignacio Mulero (Spain) established Eternal Flauta (220m, 7a+) on the east face of El Mochito, and in January, on the second of two visits, Korten free climbed Joviejo (350m, 7a) on Aguja Pollone.

           —Rolando Garibotti