We are please to announce that local climbing legend and NOLS instructor, Dave Anderson, will once again be giving the Wednesday night festival slideshow!
Dave has just returned to the States from a BIG expedition to the Piritas Valley of Argentina, a little-explored and remote drainage above the upper Rio Turbio, near the Argentina-Chile border. Dave and two other NOLS instructors, Josh Beckner and Jared Spaulding, completed a new route on a striking 3,000 ft granite tower in the Piritas Valley.
Josh and Dave take a look at the line.
The three climbers crossed Lago Puelo by boat and hired a gaucho to carry their gear 20 miles up-valley by horseback. From the junction of the Rio Turbio and Rio Turbio Quatro, the team spent a week hauling loads up the Rio Turbio, wielding machetes to clear the trail.
Once above treeline, they chose a line on Pirita Right and climbed Voces en la Noche (V 5.11 A0) in a day and a half. After 1,500 feet of “approach,” including several fifth-class pitches and a steep snowfield, they climbed cracks on the left side of the face to a sitting bivy four pitches below the top.
After summiting in the morning, they descended to the south to return to their high camp. Overall, they completed 2,200 feet of roped climbing, with only two pendulums to break the all-free ascent.
Back at base camp, the team loaded up two tiny inflatable fishing rafts and floated down the Rio Turbio to Lago Puelo, completing their 17-day adventure.
The expedition was backed by a grant from the Mugs Stump Award and support from NOLS.
Click here to see a short video clip from the expedition.
To see more photos and video from the Pirtas Valley expedition please join Dave at the Noble Hotel dining room on Wednesday, July 8th at 6pm.
Dave’s festival slideshow presentation is generously sponsored by NOLS.
Dave and Jared concentrate on the river crossing.
