South America, Venezuela, Pico Bonnpland, Northeast Face and Ascents in Southern Venezuela

Climb Year: N/A. Publication Year: 1987.

Pico Bonnpland, Northeast Face and Ascents in Southern Venezuela. Although the northeast wall of Pico Bonnpland (4882 meters, 16,017 feet) is only 1000 feet high, it offers difficulties of the 4th and 5th grade. Dora Ocanto and I made the climb by new route in early March. In a South American region wholly unrelated to the Andes, the remarkable peaks locally called tepuyes represent a new, interesting field. Climbers from Caracas have been particularly active in this area and have opened new routes on the north ridge and the west face of Cerro Autana (difficulties up to 5.9 and 5.11). Other climbs in the same district have been those of the tepuis of Marahuaca, Aratitiope and Salto Angel.

José Betancourt, Club de Andinismo Universitario, Mérida, Venezuela