Region: America - South and Antarctica

Neal Crampton with Clare Fennell (July-August 2004)

This couple hoped to make the first ascent of the NW Face of Artesonaraju (6025m) in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru and descend by the 'normal' SW Face route, which they planned to equip in advance. However, abnormal weather conditions earlier in the year had left south faces covered in unconsolidated snow and north faces bare rock, so they had to seek other routes. Several were attempted, but their only success was a repeat of the 1000m Simpson TD route on the N Spur of Ranrapalca (6162m), which they climbed as far as the summit plateau, descending by the NE slopes.