Home > Mountain

Major Patagonia Traverse Completed by Honnold and Caldwell

Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold Patagonia's Fitz Roy Traverse, a journey across seven peaks and 4,000 metres of vertical climbing that is one of alpinism's most elusive achievements

Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold have completed one of the most inspiring traverses in the Americas. Patagonia has had its highs and lows in 2014, from the loss of Chad Kellogg on Fitz Roy to the first ascent of the Fitz Range traverse.

Between Feb. 12 and 16, Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold completed the first ascent of the much discussed Fitz Traverse, climbing across the iconic ridge-line of Cerro Fitz Roy and its satellite peaks in southern Patagonia.

This ridge-line involves climbing Aguja Guillaumet, Aguja Mermoz, Cerro Fitz Roy, Aguja Poincenot, Aguja Rafael Juárez, Aguja Saint-Exúpery and Aguja de l’S. In all they climbed across over five kilometers of ridge line, covering close to 4,000 meters of vertical gain with difficulties to 5.11d, C1 65 degrees.

They simul-climbed much of the climb, dispatching 20-pitch sections such as Pilar Goretta in a mere three pitches. This was Honnold’s first climb in Patagonia. Over the years Caldwell has done a number of impressive ascents in the area, most notably the first free and onsight ascent of Linea de Eleganza on Cerro Fitz Roy.

The Fitz Roy Traverse Photo Pata Climb (Rolando Garibotti)
The Fitz Roy Traverse Photo Pata Climb (Rolando Garibotti)

Sources: Pata Climb, Super Topo, Rock and Ice

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

Easter Weekend Sales on Climbing Gear

Be sure that your rack is updated and ready for the upcoming rock climbing season