Legendary Climber Dies on Italian Mountain

Ermanno Salvaterra, known as the “man of Torre” has died from injuries he sustained after falling on the Hartman-Krauss on Campanile Alto’s west ridge. He fell while leading a pitch at around 2,700 metres. He was 68.

Salvaterra had been a mountain guide since 1979 and was a leading climber in the Brenta Dolomites for the past 50 years. He established several now-classic routes in the Dolomites, including Elefante Viola on Pilastro Bruno, and Super Maria on Crozzon di Brenta.

In 1982, Salvaterra visited Patagonia for the first time after being told about the climbing potential by legendary alpinist Renato Casarotto. The following year, he climbed the Compressor Route using Jim Bridwell’s variation. Salvaterra went on to establish five new routes on Cerro Torre and made the peak’s first winter ascent, which took 11 days. He spent around 130 nights on Cerro Torre over three decades.

Salvaterra wrote several books, including Patagonia, il grande sogno, and made several films. Our condolences to Slavaterra’s family and friends.