Pico Bolívar, Northwest Buttress. On February 5, 1983, Jaime Bautista, of the Club Andino Venezolano, made the first ascent of the “pilar noroeste” of Bolívar (5002 meters, 16,410 feet), highest point in Venezuela. On March 3, ql984 César Pemalete and I accomplished the second, which can be described as a route with mixed difficulties on rock, snow and ice. Rock was found to be of poor quality. Other local climbers and I have been ascending most of the pinnacles and aiguilles that form Bolívar’s complex ridges. Thus, picos Miranda, El Carmen, Anzil, La Reina, Caribay, Murachi and others have been climbed more than once.

José Betancourt, Club de Andinismo de la Universidad de los Andes, Mérida