Martha Altamirano «Paty» climbed the Mercedario at the age of 20, in the early 1980s. Paty lost her life on that climb. We tell you her story and what will happen in the coming days.
At the end of March 1981, Paty, along with her 21-year-old sister Corina and the Italian climber Sergio Bossini, 40, set out to climb the 6,770m Mercedario in the Cordillera Sanjuanina. At one point during the climb, Paty suffered a fatal fall and her body could not be rescued at that time.
Forty-two years later, his body was found and recovered. Now, by decision of his family, his ashes will return to the mountain where he left his life.
“Paty” Altamirano was a mountaineer from Tucumán who was drawn to mountain activities from a very young age. She was part of the Club Andino Tucumán, carrying out expeditions in the Andes, mainly with her sister Corina.
But tragedy struck on Friday, March 27, 1981, at around 6:30 p.m., at about 6,000 meters, on the south face of the Mercedario, after having climbed approximately two thirds of the way. Paty fell instantly, and her companions were unable to prevent her. Her body ended up at the base of the mountain. Corina and Bossini descended during the night, but when they reached the base, it began to snow and they were never able to find her.
Over time, his body, covered by snow and trapped in the glacier, remained there on the mountain for 42 years, despite several rescue attempts.
On January 24, 2023, three mountaineers found a body at the base of the south face, wearing mountain clothing. They immediately notified the authorities, and the recovery procedure was immediately activated.
Approximately two weeks passed until it was confirmed that it was the body of «Paty» Altamirano.
During the months following the discovery, her remains were transferred to Tucuman, where they remained until today. For their part, the family decided to take them back to the mountains, where she spent the last days of her life, but now with the relief of having found them and made contact with her.
It was Corina, the sister who was with her that tragic day, now 63 years old, who pushed for this decision, for which she has been preparing for several months, along with other family members, to deposit her ashes at the summit of Cerro Mercedario, on January 25, in just a few days.
To do so, they will make the ascent via the normal route, starting from Laguna Blanca, in a journey that they estimate will last between 8 and 10 days.
Without a doubt, this will be a very special climb. It will be a tribute to a young climber, for whom the mountain occupied a fundamental space in her life. Consequently, her remains will rest forever in the exact place where they belong, sheltered by the mountain that she decided that day would be part of her.
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