Polish Direct (Aconcagua): midway

Polish Direct (Aconcagua): midway

Can you spot the climber? This is midway up the face below the first rock constriction.
Ialewis
on Jan 22, 2008 11:47 pm
Image Type(s): Alpine Climbing
Image ID: 374981

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SoCalHiker

SoCalHiker - Jan 23, 2008 12:43 am - Voted 10/10

Fantastic photo!

Great (philosophical) perspective of how miniature humans are compared to mountains but also how strongly-willed we are to overcome apparently huge obstacles. Thanks for posting.

Ialewis

Ialewis - Jan 23, 2008 12:57 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Fantastic photo!

That is a great point of view shared by most of the climbers I have met. I wish everybody felt that they were small next to mountains, but only climbers seem to have noticed.

Ejnar Fjerdingstad

Ejnar Fjerdingstad - Jan 23, 2008 8:25 am - Voted 10/10

This Photo

really conveys the impression of high altitude! And what perfect weather!

Ialewis

Ialewis - Jan 23, 2008 4:12 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: This Photo

Thanks! We were blessed with excellent weather that trip.

Norris

Norris - Mar 7, 2008 10:22 pm - Voted 10/10

More photos not posted?

Outstanding. Would love to see still more photos of your Polish glacier direct climb if you have them.

Ialewis

Ialewis - Apr 14, 2008 2:41 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: More photos not posted?

Thanks Norris,
The four pictures I have posted cover just about everything there is to see on route. Mostly, it is a giant low angle snow slog.

Paul78

Paul78 - Aug 9, 2008 8:10 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: More photos not posted?

Is there any concern about crevasse falls? Thanks.

Ialewis

Ialewis - Aug 14, 2008 4:09 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: More photos not posted?

Yes, in most years there are a few crevasses left of the route near the rock bottleneck. It is my understanding that crevasses may also appear elsewhere on the route in some years. However, the main danger on this route is failure to self arrest from a fall. There are a number of accounts online of fatal falls from this face. The accidents tend to occur (not surprisingly) when the route is icy or hard packed. Rock fall and avalanche danger can also threaten this route. However, in good years objective hazard is relatively minimal and a fit climber can be off the face well before noon.

Viewing: 1-8 of 8