A group of rescuers from the Santa Cruz town of El Chaltén tried to rescue two climbers on Friday night, an Argentine and an Italian, who after an avalanche of snow and stones produced in the early hours of Friday were left literally “hanging” from one of the the walls of Cerro Torre.
The Italian climber, whose identity was not provided, was injured and trapped and attempts were being made to rescue him, rescue doctor Carolina Codo told Télam.
The Italian mountaineer, who is injured and suspended by his climbing equipment, was accompanied by an Argentine climber, who began the descent alone and radioed for help from rescuers.
Codo reported that the accident occurred on Friday at 4 in the morning but the request for help did not reach them until 8:30 in the morning and from that moment the operation began to move the rescuers to the base of the stone wall of the Cerro Torre and from there begin the ascent until reaching the injured.
The climbers were surprised by an avalanche while climbing, and it was there that the young European was injured and remains “hanging” waiting for help, while 300 meters below is the Argentine.
To carry out the relief tasks, the rescuers have the help of an Argentine Army helicopter that has already carried out the transfer of the rescuers to the base of the wall of the hill, and collaborated with the tasks of approaching the injured.
As reported by members of the rescue teams to Télam, the conditions of wind, snow and low visibility are expected to continue until next Sunday, so “for the moment the work of the volunteers is essential to reach the place.”
“30 people from the relief commission have already left (divided into three groups) to help the one who is going down while they try to put together another group so that the helicopter can bring them closer to the base camp, and from there go up to help the Italian who is on the wall “added the doctor.
The accident on Cerro Torre is added to the tragedy that cost the life of a German climber on January 6, also as a result of an avalanche.
