2 US climbers missing on Peru high peak

[oldno7]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=21438342&nid=235&title=2-us-climbers-missing-on-peru-high-peak&s_cid=queue-2


LIMA, Peru (AP) - A search team has reached the base camp and spotted the apparent tracks of two 29-year-old U.S. mountaineers who have not been heard from since July 11 when they set off to climb a 20,000-foot glacier-capped peak (6,100-meter) in the Cordillera Blanca range of northern Peru.
Gil Weiss and Ben Horne, both experienced climbers from Boulder, Colorado, were attempting the west summit of Palcajaru from the south, said Ted Alexander, a guide based in the nearby town of Huaraz coordinating an initial search team sent out Tuesday.

[Brian in SLC]

Sorry to hear they didn't make it.

http://www.tomnod.com/gi/peru/?vid=261

[Iceaxe]

57068

[maarten.1975]

May they rest in peace.
And my condolences for the family and friends.

[RAM]

Aaron knew Gil from Boulder and chatted with him about conditions in Peru last month. Here is some of Aaron's commentary to friends

The cause of the fall will forever remain a mystery.Here's some guesses:
-exhaustion while simul climbing on descent from a long, remote, serious ED rated route (hardest rating). one probably pulled the other off.
- serac fall or falling ice/snow. I spent 4 days staring at Palcaraju from the surrounding peaks and something seemed to be falling somewhere on the mountain every 10 to15 minutes. Even if falling objects don't hit the climbers they can hit the rope and create big forces.
- soft snow (southern exposures in that range can be dangerously soft, especially early in the season). This was a big snow year so it's possible late July had unique conditions. This could result in braking steps or sluff avalanches quite easily.
- anchor failure. Snow anchors can be sketchy


Stay safe out there


Aaron

[oldno7]

Thanks Ram

Always good to hear Aarons perspective.