Cerro Fitz Roy
Cerro Fitz Roy, also known as Monte Fitz Roy or Cerro Chaltén at 3,405 meters (11,171 ft), is a world-renowned granite monolith situated in the Southern Patagonian Icefield near El Chaltén, Argentina. Revered for its vertical granite walls and notorious hurricane-force Patagonian storms, it is considered one of the most technically demanding alpine summits on Earth.
Mountain Safety & Conditions Disclaimer: High-altitude climbing, glacial travel, and technical ascents entail severe objective risks including avalanches, serac collapses, rapid weather collapse, and altitude illness. Historical route descriptions and summit claims on Mountanity reflect documented archival sources and must not be used as live operational safety assessments. Local regulations, permits, and physical glacial topography change continuously.
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Geographical Setting & Topography
Southern Patagonian Icefield on the Argentina-Chile border, towering above the Rio de las Vueltas valley near El Chaltén.
Historic First Ascent
Date: February 2, 1952
Ascent Team: Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone (French Patagonia Expedition)
Key Statistics & Topographic Figures
- Official Elevation
- 3,405 m (11,171 ft)
Topographic Survey
- Topographic Prominence
- 1,951 m
Relief Metric
- First Ascent
- February 2, 1952
Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone (French Patagonia Expedition)
- Territory Codes
- AR / CL
Sovereignty
Archival Primary Source Quotations
“The mountains are calling, and we must honor their grandeur with truth and historical precision.”
Defined Alpine Terminology & Concepts
- Topographic Prominence
- The vertical elevation difference between a mountain summit and the lowest contour line encircling it that contains no higher summit.
- Alpine Zone
- The ecological and climatic zone above the treeline characterized by severe weather, glaciers, and permanent snow cover.
Cerro Fitz Roy Mountain Weather Forecast
Detailed 14-Day Summit Window & Weather Timeline
Explore day-by-day summit push safety windows, wind shear analysis, and extended multi-day forecasts for Cerro Fitz Roy.
Explore Cerro Fitz Roy (3,405 m) in Interactive 3D
Inspect steep glacial walls, hanging seracs, ridge approaches, and elevation relief with 360° rotation and terrain tilt in WebGL.
Documented Climbing Routes (2)
Franco-Argentine Route
The Franco-Argentine Route on Cerro Fitz Roy is the historic first ascent line on Patagonia's most iconic granite monolith. Pioneered in February 1952 by French climbers Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone, the route ascends the Brecha de los Italianos, traverses the south shoulder, and tackles sustained vertical granite cracks up to French 6c (5.11a) and A2 aid amid ferocious Patagonian winds.
Fitz Roy Supercanaleta
The Supercanaleta on the Southwest Face of Cerro Fitz Roy (3,405 m) is one of the most legendary, direct, and imposing alpine ice lines in the world. Ascending an unbroken 1,600-metre vertical couloir of ice, snow, and mixed granite chimneys, it was first conquered in January 1965 in pure alpine style by Argentine mountaineering prodigies José Luis Fonrouge and Carlos Comesaña over two and a half days.
Historical Expeditions (3)
1952 French Patagonia Cerro Fitz Roy First Ascent Expedition
On February 2, 1952, French mountaineers Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone achieved the historic first ascent of Cerro Fitz Roy (3,405m) in Patagonia, overcoming ferocious storms, vertical granite cracks, and technical aid to conquer one of Earth's most formidable spires.
1965 Fonrouge and Comesaña Fitz Roy Supercanaleta First Ascent
On January 16, 1965, young Argentine mountaineers José Luis Fonrouge and Carlos Comesaña achieved the second ascent of Cerro Fitz Roy via the formidable 1,600-metre Supercanaleta, climbing in pure, unsupported alpine style.
2021 Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll Solo Moonwalk Traverse of Fitz Roy Massif
Between February 5 and 10, 2021, Belgian climber Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll achieved a monumental milestone by making the first solo traverse of the entire Fitz Roy range, traversing nine spires from south to north in six days carrying a small pack and his tin whistle.
Summit Chronicles & Stories (3)
Conquest of the Patagonian Fang: Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone on Fitz Roy
In February 1952, French mountaineers Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone conquered the virgin summit of Cerro Fitz Roy in Patagonia via the historic Franco-Argentine Route.
The Ice Spear: Fonrouge and Comesaña's 1965 Fitz Roy Supercanaleta Masterpiece
In January 1965, two young Argentine climbers, José Luis Fonrouge and Carlos Comesaña, completed the second ascent of Cerro Fitz Roy via the 1,600-metre Supercanaleta, climbing in pure, unsupported alpine style.
The Musical Soloist: Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll's Moonwalk Traverse of Fitz Roy
In February 2021, Belgian climber Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll accomplished the first solo traverse of the entire Fitz Roy range, traversing nine spires over six days with a tin whistle.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cerro Fitz Roy
What is the verified elevation of Cerro Fitz Roy?
Cerro Fitz Roy has an official elevation of 3,405 meters (11,171 feet) above sea level.
When was Cerro Fitz Roy first climbed?
Cerro Fitz Roy was first summited on February 2, 1952 by Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone (French Patagonia Expedition).
What mountain range and territories encompass Cerro Fitz Roy?
Cerro Fitz Roy is situated in Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia, Los Glaciares National Park across territory codes AR, CL.
Documented Sources & Archival Citations
- Conquistadors of the Useless(Lionel Terray / Victor Gollancz)
Supporting claim: Terray's firsthand chronicle of the grueling 1952 first ascent through Patagonian gales
Accessed/Documented: 1963 - American Alpine Journal: The Conquest of Mount FitzRoy(Guido Magnone / American Alpine Club)
Supporting claim: Official technical report and route description of the 1952 Franco-Argentine Route
Accessed/Documented: 1953