Climbers Hayden and Jason face reality after a successful ascent, while a rescue mission unfolds. Frustration and police involvement in El Chaltén. David Lama returns to the mountain. The impact of removing bolts on Saratore. Tragic incidents involving Hayden Kennedy and David Loma. Investigation of a photo from Maestry's book. Exploring the power of belief and gratitude.
The controversy surrounding the removal of Maestry's bolts on Cerro Torre highlighted the division in the climbing community regarding the balance between tradition and innovation.
David Lama's free ascent of Cerro Torre without the bolts validated the argument that the mountain could still be conquered without artificial aids and inspired climbers worldwide.
Deep dives
The Legacy of the Compressor Route
The controversy surrounding the removal of Maestry's compressor route on Cerro Torre led to a heated global debate and divided the climbing community. Some climbers felt that the bolts stifled innovation and that removing them would inspire climbers to rise to the challenge of the mountain. Others viewed the removal as disrespectful and disregarding the community's input. The chopping of the bolts led to a swift and fierce backlash against Hayden and Jason, causing them to lose trust and friendship within the climbing community.
David Lama's Free Ascent
David Lama's successful free ascent of Cerro Torre without the bolts further validated Hayden and Jason's actions. It demonstrated that the mountain could still be climbed and challenged without the aid of bolts. David's achievement was seen as a major step forward in climbing and inspired climbers all over the world.
The Unfulfilled Promise
Cesare Maestry never visited Patagonia again after his controversial climb of Cerro Torre. His legacy was tarnished by doubts and accusations of lying about his ascent. Despite decades of speculation, he never admitted to fabricating his story. The truth about what really happened on that ill-fated trip to Cerro Torre remains unknown.
Tragedy and Loss
The climbing community experienced great losses during the course of the Cerro Torre controversy. Hayden Kennedy, one of the climbers who chopped the bolts, tragically took his own life after the loss of his partner Inga Perkins in an avalanche. David Lama, who successfully free climbed Cerro Torre, died in a climbing accident in the Canadian Rockies. Their deaths brought a sobering reminder of the risks and emotional toll of pursuing their passion.
After successfully establishing the first fair means ascent of Cerro Torre’s SE Ridge and chopping Maestri’s bolt ladder, Hayden Kennedy and Jason Kruk smash into reality. In the mountains, a rescue for their friend is under way. In El Chaltén, frustration boils over and the police get involved. Meanwhile, David Lama heads back up the mountain. Years later, the community reflects on the Cerro Torre.