Consolation Prize

Moonrise over Rune's Needle. Carlos Buhler

When Hans Bräuner-Osborne (flying in from Denmark) and Carlos Buhler (flying in from Alberta) attempted a winter ascent of the east face of Argentina’s 3,706m Cerro San Lorenzo, they wallowed in deep snow above the glacier until this virgin 60m, two-pitch pinnacle caught their eye. Turning their backs on San Lorenzo, they claimed their consolation prize instead, at A2+ D5 (drytool). In honor of Rune Klausen, who died in a rappelling accident on Pyramide du Tacul, Chamonix in 2005, they named the peak Rune’s Needle (Aguja de Rune). 47°33′19.10″S 72°18′45.70″W. June 17, 2008.

For more information and photos, see Hans Bräuner-Osborne’s blog on the climb.