33 People Help Rescue Climber in Patagonia
Fábio Selau was struck in the head by a rock, but was carried to safety during a successful rescue

Fábio Selau was climbing a route on Aguja de l’S when he was hit in the head by a falling rock. A lengthy rescue organized by Comisión de Auxilio El Chaltén involving 33 people took place to get him back to safety. According to AltaMontanha, “The victim arrived at the city’s health center that same night and, after being stabilized, was transferred to the SAMIC Hospital in El Calafate.”
In 2019, area expert Rolando Garibotti talked about the risks associated with climbing in Patagonia, saying, “The seriousness of these peaks and their climate require choosing objectives that are well within our level of skill, and fitting with the conditions. It is not enough to be prepared for the difficulties if all goes according to plan, one needs to have the know-how to face the possible eventualities.” Rope teams should carry communication devices, either a VHF radio or a satellite phone.
“Rescues can be costly, putting in danger a lot of people and at times have tragic consequences,” said Garibotti. During one rescue on Fitz Roy, Jesús Gutiérrez suffered several broken bones trying to help the climbers stranded. And in 2014, helicopter pilot Pablo Argiz died while trying to rescue an injured climber. As Eneko and Iker Pou Hermanos Pou said in 2019, when we choose objectives we need to keep in mind “all those people who, without knowing us, will risk their lives to try to save ours.”
The Comisión de Auxilio El Chaltén have been involved in several rescues this year, we’ve included their social media posts below. Scroll down to read the best ways to be prepared for visiting Patagonia according to
Climbing in Patagonia
For those visiting the Chaltén Massif, it is recommended to have rescue insurance. Although the Comisión de Auxilio El Chaltén is volunteer, when possible, it charges for rescues. The funds are instrumental to buy rescue equipment, medical supplies, subsidize training, etc. None of the rescuers get paid, but the funds ensure the continued operation. The coverage should be for upwards of $10,000 USD. Rescues are done on foot, and require many man hours. Usually helicopters aren’t available, but if they are the costs can be higher.
One of the most cost effective ways to get adequate rescue insurance coverage is by becoming a member of the Austrian Alpine Club (alpenverein.at). For a yearly fee of € 80, for trips abroad of up to eight weeks, you get rescue coverage to € 25,000, emergency medical treatment to € 10,000, repatriation (unlimited), full cost of body recovery, etc. It does not matter where you reside. You can find the English language link to become a member and the policy details in pataclimb.com. Read the exclusions, which include guiding, competitions, jumps, etc.
In cases of emergency, climbers can request assistance from icepnlgzn@gmail.com (+5492966383599), using InReach, or by the VHF radio frequencies: RX 150.395; RPT Chaltén RX 150.395 TX 155.135 and RPT Loma del Diablo RX 150.775 – TX 155.215 (undertone 141.3).