Patagonia
Why stories last a lifetime and successes don't
Patagonia
Why stories last a lifetime and successes don't
It is truly a privilege to be able to travel to places like Patagonia, especially as I was traveling with my long-time friends Jonas Schild and Simon Wahli. I experienced the mountains, the conditions and the people were so different to those in Switzerland, which was a wonderful experience for me.
We were able to work on our project right from the start. We had a goal, were motivated and trained and hoped for the weather window that never came. It was the same for many other climbers and mountaineers we met in the various accommodations. They had all come with a rucksack full of hopes and had to wait a long time for the good weather. And then I said to myself that of course I would have been delighted if our project had worked on our first visit to Patagonia. But if everything always worked right away, would it really change me as a really change me as a person? For as long as I can remember, the best projects were the ones I had to work hardest for and sometimes had to wait a long time for. As the saying goes "The best view always comes after a hard climb". And besides, I thought that as time passes, the stories we experience with others count. One success usually drives us to the next and sometimes makes us restless.
The untameable and unpredictable weather in Patagonia taught me that other dimensions are also important in alpinism. In order to retain the joy, curiosity and dedication to this and dedication to this activity until the end of our lives, we must not lose sight of the experiences we share with others. And so Patagonia remains unforgettable for me too, not only thanks to Jonas' and Simon's participation. The international climbing community, the locals and the tourists all had stories to tell and enriched my life in one way or another. enriched my life in one way or another.
Despite the difficult weather conditions, there were a few highlights. We climbed right at the beginning in Norwegos, at the base camp of Cerro Torre. I had been dreaming of this for years and for my birthday birthday, an electro party and a birthday cake were organized. It was one of the best birthdays for me.
Then we were able to climb a third of our planned first ascent, which made us very happy as a team.
We climbed the Guillotina (7a+), a 300m long tour on the Aguja Guillaumet. A fantastic tour in the best granite with breathtaking views. I was on the Aguja Guillaumet one day alone on the Aguja Guillaumet. That was my birthday present to myself a few days earlier. And it was also my first day alone in this impressive environment. I experienced the lightness and dynamism on the mountain, the time that no longer existed, the foresight, serenity and peace that set in. I dedicated this day to a good friend with whom I would have loved to share this I would have liked to share this experience with.
Then there was this building in the middle of the forest. At first I thought it was a chemistry lab and later it turned out to be a hotel. What you can't discover, I thought.
One route we opened was the "Plan XY" on El Mocho. It is a new variation of the Moribito route. A beautiful line in golden granite.
The name of the "Grey Yellow Arrow", also on El Mocho, says it all. It is a 45 m long offwidth crack that I climbed onsight. For me, it was the most challenging offwidth crack offwidth crack that I have ever climbed in the Alps.
And then the countless sunrises and sunsets, the moods, the colors, the movements in this flawless granite.
True to my life motto "your move, your art, your story"... to be continued 😊
