Pico Bolívar, North Face. To celebrate the 44th anniversary of the first ascent of the highest mountain in Venezuela, I made on April 3 the first solo ascent of the north face of Pico Bolívar (5002 meters, 16,410 feet), reputedly one of the most difficult climbs to be found in this country.

José Betancourt, Club de Andinismo, Universidad de los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.