Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile, seen from the Mirador. From left to right: Torre Sur, Torre Central, Torre Norte. The North Tower was first ascended on 27/12/1957 by an Italian expedition led by Guido Monzino. Torre Central del Paine (2460m) was first climbed by British mountaineers Chris Bonington and Don Whillans via the North Ridge (VI, A2 600m) on 16/01/1963. The next day the Italians Armando Aste, Vasco Taldo, Nando Nusdeo, Josve Aiazzi and Carlo Casati made the second ascent of the mountain, climbing via the same line. On 9 February 1963 the Italians made the first ascent of the South Tower.

© Nicholas Hobley