Yesterday, well-known Italian climber and mountain guide Ermanno Salvaterra (68) died in a climbing accident on Campanile Alto’s west ridge in the Brenta Dolomites of Trentino. Salvaterra fell on the last section of the Hartman-Krauss route while leading a pitch.
Salvaterra fell 20m from around 2,750m on the mountain. A helicopter urgently flew to the Tosa Pedrotti refuge, but the injuries Salvaterra sustained were too serious. Salvaterra was with a client who was unharmed.
From the Dolomites to Patagonia
Salvaterra has established several routes in the Dolomites over the past 50 years and also worked as a guide. He spent time climbing the huge towers of Patagonia, climbing there since 1982. He first headed for Patagonia thanks to the recommendation of fellow Italian climber Renato Casarotto. From then on, those huge towers became his second home.
Ermanno Salvaterra on Torre Egger’s west face. Photo: El Correo
In particular, Salvaterra mastered Cerro Torre, where he opened five new routes. In 1985, he was part of the team that made the first winter ascent of Cerro Torre (together with Andrea Sarchi, Maurizio Giarolli, and Andrea Orlandi). He was a great reference for other climbers and his nickname became “man of Torre.” We reported on his final expedition to Torre Egger last year.
News of his death shocked the climbing community. “It’s beautiful to remember you as you were, smiling as always, loving life, animals, and mountains,” his friend, Italian journalist Alessandro Filippini, wrote on social media.
