Jan 25, 2011 – Kruk and Geisler To Climb The Compressor Route Without Bolts

The Canadian team of Jason Kruk and Chris Geisler have landed in Patagonia with the goal of climbing the Compressor Route on Cerro Torre without using any of Cesare Maestri’s original bolts. Kruk and Geisler won the John Lauchlan Memorial Grant for this expedition and are confident they will find a bolt-free way to the summit. Cesare Maestri originally climbed the Compressor Route in 1970 and used a gas compressor to drill the hundreds of aid bolts now littering the face.

David Lama has also returned to the Compressor Route in hopes of free climbing the line. Lama’s actions last season created controversy within the climbing community and his team was widely criticised for adding extra bolts to the route. More details as they become available.