Grant 'Axe' Rawlinson

Cerro Torre – rock climbing

In 2005 together with Vanessa Wills we headed into an area in central Argentina called ‘Cerro Catedral’. Cerro Catedral is regarded by many as the best rock climbing area in South America. The climbing area is well-known as “Frey”, a name that comes from the “Refugio Frey” (a 2 story hut that can sleeps around 30 people). We set-up camp here for a few days and climbed a number of routes, culminating in an ascent of Aguja Frey itself.

We based ourselves at Refugio Frey for a few days. A great place to set-up camp and climb from.
We based ourselves at Refugio Frey for a few days. A great place to set-up camp and climb from.

 

Refugio Frey across Lake Frey. Aguja Frey is the buttress on the right that we climbed.
Refugio Frey across Lake Frey. Aguja Frey is the buttress on the right that we climbed.
A close up of Aguja Frey - you can just see some climbers on the route, click to enlarge.
A close up of Aguja Frey – you can just see some climbers on the route, click to enlarge.
Climbing the 1st pitch of Aguja Frey
Climbing the 1st pitch of Aguja Frey
Almost at the top of Aguja Frey
Almost at the top of Aguja Frey
On top of Aguja Frey
On top of Aguja Frey
Vanessa leading a nice crack.
Vanessa leading a nice crack.
Rapping off one of the routes
Rapping off one of the routes