17 On Belay

Suzanne Ybarra and Libby Sauter

Posted on: October 23, 2014


El Hermano (ca. 4,500'), Chile. In 2014 Libby Sauter's team mostly followed the sun-shadow line, and then cut to the right a few hundred feet from the top. [Photo] Doug Tompkins

After the death of her brother Michael in June 2012, Suzanne Ybarra noticed a reference to a mysterious "El Hermano" amid his files, along with photos of a massive unclimbed wall. In 2014 one of Michael's friends, Libby Sauter, organizes an expedition to make the first ascent and complete his dream.

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