0530, Advanced Base Camp, Torres del Paine. I unzip the tent door to peek outside, and notice that the weather still seems to be unsettled, like it hasn´t decided yet to grow worse or not. In a brief radio conversation between the two tents, we decide to give it a look at the top of the fixed lines. We know that the two pitches that separate us from belay 13, our portaledge camp, are not the most difficult ones in de route. So unless the weather really turns out nasty, today we will push through, and make sure our second haulbag will be arriving on ´Camp 13´ as well.

1010, halfway the fixed lines, Torres del Paine. I lost counting. Which belay did I just pass? 5? 6? What on earths sake is going on? Is the ice on the fixed lines giving me a hard time? Is it the pack on my back with a 100 metre rope that is pulling me backwards? I have got no idea. I just do my work and suffer, and hope I´ll be arriving at the top of the fixed lines soon.

1300, belay 11, Torres del Paine. Ron has just started up the pitch, and is slowly making progress. Fresh snow has covered most of the face, and he is clearly having trouble to distinguish good cracks from shattered rock. Rock climbing in these conditions is indeed all but simple. As I follow him with my eyes, calmly waiting for him to arrive at belay 12, I hear voices just below. Gerke and Martin must be just below me already, and with them the haul bag we left at belay 4 a couple of days ago. I encourage Ron to speed up, well knowing that it´s useless, but hoping to get this train moving a bit.

1715, camp 13 – portaledge camp, Torres del Paine. After I lead a quick traverse in icy third degree terrain, we now are all united on the ledge that will be our home for the next week to come. We organise some gear and fixed lines that have been left by previous expeditions, and make sure the haul bags are safe and secure. It has been snowing heavily over the last hour, and we are keen on getting down quickly now. We are getting wet, growing cold. Let´s get us a well deserved warm brew down at ABC.

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welcome to saturday 29th of january