Mountain: Cerro Torre
Route: Southeast Ridge, Compressor Route
Country: Argentina
Height: 3128 meters/10,262 feet
Dates of Expedition: December 1987
Overview of climb: With little knowledge of the conditions in Patagonia, Mark and I set out to climb one of the prettiest peaks in the area. We were not disappointed. The climbing was reputed to be fantastic and truly was excellent.
Team Members: Mark Richey, Carlos Buhler
Lasting Impression:
We had heard of multiple teams that were turned around by season of bad weather and lousy conditions. Knowing this possibiltiy we went to Argentina with an open mind and high hopes. Fortunately for us, we read the weather patterns correctly and took a gamble that paid off. Leaving the cave on the shoulder while the weather was still stormy but hopefully clearing, we managed to take advantage of the short weather window offered to us. We felt incredibly lucky to have been successful in reaching the very sumimit of the ice cone.
