First Free Ascent of the South African Route (5.12c/7b+), Torres del Paine, Chile

Photos by Nicolas Favresse, Ben Ditto and Sean Villanueva - The Belgian-American team of Nico Favresse, Sean Villanueva, and Ben Ditto have completed a 13-day, all-free ascent of the South African Route on the east face of the Central Tower of Paine in Chilean Patagonia. This is the first free climb on the 4,000-foot-plus east face. The South African Route was established during the winter of 1973-74 at 5.10 A4, and is believed to have been repeated only once before. Read More. Click here to read the trip report and see videos from the expedition.

a dead end

the descent

Ben Ditto

ditto on pitch13

Favresse

hauling

icy chimney

icy fist crack

jam session

carrying a big load

nice conditions

Nico on the offwidth

South African Route (5.12c/7b+), Torres del Paine, Chile

Sean and Ben

Sean on the offwidth

The shattered pillar

the summit

Sean Villanueva, Nicolas Favresse and Ben ditto on the summit

the team

Villanueva

Get updates on your phone:

Special Offers

MyUCTV.com
Bouldering.com

DISTRIBUTE
Climbing Magazine

-->

NAME
ADDRESS 1
ADDRESS 2
CITY
STATE & ZIP
EMAIL (req)

If I like Climbing, I'll pay just $14.95 and receive a full one-year subscription (10 issues in all) a 70% savings off the newsstand price! If for any reason I decide not to continue, I'll write "cancel" on the invoice and owe nothing.

*Offer valid in US only.
Click here for Canadian or International subscriptions.

PAY NOW AND GET
2 FREE BONUS ISSUES!

That's 12 issues in all, instead of 10, for the same low price of $14.95!

Climbing | Mountain Gazette | Urban Climber | UCTV | Skram Media