American Tommy Caldwell and Belgian Siebe Vanhee are starting to think that attempting to free climb one of the hardest routes on Patagonia’s Torres del Paine in a day was not a good idea.
“This is not El Cap, you have to be ready to switch from rock climbing mode to alpine warrior mode in a second,” Vanhee posted on Instagram. “The wall, the rock, the conditions…this thing is challenging.”
17 epic hours
Caldwell, Vanhee, and photographer Felipe Tapia are back in Puerto Natales after launching a second push on the South African route up the east face of the Central tower of Torres del Paine. It started out great, with the climbers solving the first 11 pitches in just five hours, despite loose rock in some sections. However, their speed declined as they went higher. The wind rose, and conditions on the route became even more challenging, with wet slabs and icy cracks.
The pair overcame one hard pitch after another until they realized, to their frustration, that the wisest option was to turn around. This happened after 17 hours and 20 completed pitches, with only a few left.
“There was only one 5.12b, 5.11, 5.10, and four pitches of 5th class left, but the winds picked up, cracks got icy, and we got wet and cold,” Vanhee explained.
The descent wasn’t easy, either. It took eight more hours of rappelling. Twice, the ropes got stuck.
Done for the season?
The climbers have not said whether they will try again or are done for the season. Vanhee’s post sounds like they’re done, but their recent attempt took place last week, and the climbers are still in Puerto Natales. That’s just 1.5 hours by car from Torres del Paine National Park, and a seven or eight-hour trek to the face.
“Tommy and I gave it our all,” Vanhee wrote. “So glad with the team we formed and the decisions we’ve made. We’re improving our tactics and learning more about the wall each time.”
