Matteo Della Bordella, Mirco Grasso, and Alessandro Bau of Italy overcame the rough Patagonia weather to open a new 7a, A1 route on the east face of Aguja Val Biois in the Fitz Roy massif.
Cold belay. Photo: Matteo della Bordella
The team pitched their tent on the glacier, found a suitable line, and went straight for it during a short weather window between storms. The route proved difficult from the first pitches, and the climbers endured bitter cold for the entire climb. Some demanding cracks and passages required aid climbing (A1).
‘Quien va?’ included difficulties up to 7a and A1. Photo: Matteo della Bordella
After climbing the planned line, the team reached the ridge to discover that a stormy front was approaching fast. New route completed, they decided to retreat without summiting the Aguja Val Biois.
A moment of the climb. Photo: Matteo della Bordella
“The route is beautiful, but I don’t know how many repetitions it will have,” Della Bordella told his home team. Hence, they called the route “Quien va?” colloquial Spanish for “Who’s next?”
