Quartet Climbers Brave 80 Mph Winds to Conquer 4200-Ft Wall in Patagonia National Park

A group of determined Belgian climbers conquered one of the toughest wall climbs, ‘Riders on the Storm’. Led by Siebe Vanhee, Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll, Nicolas Favresse, and Drew Smith embarked on an extraordinary mission to conquer the East face of the Torre Central in Torres del Paine National Park, making history over 3 decades since the first attempt.

The team successfully completed the first free ascent of Riders on the Storm route on February 9th, 2024, marking a groundbreaking achievement in the world of big-wall climbing. This pioneering effort will undoubtedly become a notable moment in climbing history.

Thirty years later, four climbers taste glory

Riders on the Storm, a formidable climbing route spanning 41 pitches over 1200 meters of granite, remained unconquered by free climbers until this expedition. The journey to the summit presented numerous challenges, including harsh weather conditions synonymous with Patagonia.

Despite extreme wind, rain, and snowstorms, they persisted, equipped with a month’s worth of supplies, determined to overcome the obstacles and reach the summit. With unyielding resolve and steadfast dedication, the climbers conquered the daunting challenge of scaling all 41 pitches without external assistance. They alternately assumed the role of lead climber for each pitch, showing their technical expertise and teamwork.

The 18 day-long journey also included a nine-day storm that halted their progress. They already completed two-thirds of the climb when the storm forced them to halt. Winds blew at 80mph and there was excessive snowfall.

“It’s tough to find reasonable climbing conditions on that wall,” Vanhee explained. “The rock needs to be warm and dry of water and snow, and then you need a window where you can actually climb on it.” 

For Vanhee especially, this expedition was the closing of a long awaited chapter. This was his third attempt at the climb. And after missing out in 2022 due to unfavorable weather conditions, he was ecstatic to finish it this time.

A tale of inspiration and triumph

Riders on the Storm, initially formed in January 1991, has a notable legacy in the mountaineering world. A group of German climbers, Kurt Albert, Wolfgang Güllich, Bernd Arnold, Nobert Bätz, and Peter Dittrich, set out on a 6 week journey.

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They successfully managed to breach the 3900 ft mark and spoke highly about the challenging climb. They stated that every climber will find great exposure high on the wall, high rock quality and splitter cracks.

The expedition’s success was a collective achievement, not only due to the climbers’ but also the combined efforts of many. The Chilean locals’ generosity, the weather forecasters’ expertise, and countless others’ essential contributions were crucial to ensuring the triumphant outcome.

The climbers’ incredible accomplishment fills them with contemplation about the future. They believe that their ascent has set the stage for subsequent generations to take on the challenge. They have created a lasting legacy that will stand as a tribute to the human urge to explore the world.