Climbing the First Half of the Fitz Traverse in Patagonia with Jacob Cook

Jacob Cook and I climbed the first half of the Fitz Traverse from Paso Guillaumet to the summit of Cerro Chaltén (Fitz Roy) in 2 days. We spent a total of 4 days out via this linkup known as the Care Bear Traverse from January 17-20.
We both had just arrived in town with very little rest (and a fever for Jacob) so we agreed to keep things relatively chill, wake up late each day, and just go with the flow. Our initial plan was to sleep at Paso Guillaumet the first evening but when we arrived at 6:30pm, a spark of excitement and a waning fever persuaded us to climb to the summit for some seriously bitchin dinner views. The next day we traversed past Aguja Mermoz to the base of Cerro Chaltén, and booked it up the incredible splitter cracks of the Goretta Pillar to a bivy spot about two thirds of the way up the mountain. Jacob’s condition had deteriorated and he woke the next day with a fever and sore throat… Covid. Luckily he was still psyched enough to continue as we climbed to the summit of the Goretta Pilar via the incredibly enjoyable “Gringos Perdidos”. We spent nearly an hour on top eating salami and cheese while debating whether to go up or down. The next pitches to the summit of Cerro Chaltén climb through flowing water but I somehow found myself completely in my element on those soaking wet steep cracks, as I blasted music and aid climbed to get up as quickly as possible. We eventually caught up with our friends Thomas and J Guy climbing alongside each other over moderate mixed and ice terrain to the summit in the late afternoon. Moral was high as we ate dinner on top of Cerro Chaltén but shortly before bed, that changed as we got word that two climbers had died in an avalanche during their descent from the mountain. That news along with my constant thoughts of John Bolte, made our descent day incredibly stressful and unpleasant. Jacob and I made it back to town at 2:30am on Saturday after waiting many hours to rappel La Brecha in the evening in cooler temperatures
Full write up:
docs.google.co...
Thumbnail by Rolo Garibotti

[@jrose152]

Easily my favorite climbing channel.

[@nathanschimke7309]

Easily

[@iambre3]

Got any new ones or other ones you watch?!

[@dillproductions83]

Waking up to a new Tyler karow video is the closest thing to waking up on Christmas morning as a kid. Tyler you are inspiring, I hope to live a life like yours.

[@samirchopra1]

This is sick. Incredible visuals, minimal narration and effects, stellar work all around.

[@Wanksteez]

This is a rad video. You have really been stepping your game up these past few years and have become a phenomenal climber. Keep grinding so we can also enjoy these places.

[@dwang3142]

Great to have you back

[@mikeb5954]

Jacob climbing all of that with Covid what a legend lol. 99% of other people on Earth: ya i got covid chilling on the couch.

[@Baum17]

Pretty idiotic, if you ask me.

[@MovementForBJJ]

I’m watching this from my bed with Covid…reality check!!👍

[@Baum17]

@@MovementForBJJ Get well soon!

[@MovementForBJJ]

@@Baum17 😊👊

[@pointer4149]

That was amazing!!! I love how you show one of the most beautiful places of my country!! Keep it going !!!

[@larsbee]

I'm so glad u always bring ur camera... I simply don't have the guts, stamina and intelligence to do those kinda climbs .... I would constantly forget tools and equipment and which rope is which and goes to where and to hook up stuff properly... in a nutshell I wouldn't survive my first climb...

[@guwop2234]

thats pretty cool. my grandpa had to climb that route everyday to go to school

[@dos_mas_805]

That frame at 3:07 is amazing! So stoked you've been sharing your climbing adventures again with us. Much love from the Central Coast of California.

[@moonti6820]

A roll of the dice and you can be gone without warning. The whole video got me so stoked to do some alpine stuff again and then came up the news of a party getting killed in the exact same spot you ended up being one day later. Too grim for me.

[@maxwright4387]

Pizza looked fuckin incredible. Also maybe the best weather I've seen on anyone's patagonia movies

[@MichaelShuler]

1:14 LOL! This looks like it has been an awesome trip, thanks for posting this.. oooh, a trip report, too! Your videos are some of the most amazeballs climbing highlights this armchair climber enjoys.

[@persiancarpet5234]

Doing this while habing covid is absolutely crazy. Reminds me of when the guys of the 14 peaks movie climbed mt everest hungover 😂

[@mathieubaptista]

I slept on a portaledge for the first time two weeks ago in Potrero Chico. It was a dream to do it since i first discover your videos. Especially the Golden Gate one. Keep doing it, it's so inspiring.

[@burrellbikes4969]

Seems like a Pat trip has a checklist of priorities: 1) be safe and alive. 2) be happy with adventure. 3) have fun. 4) summit if possible. If you hit all those = successful trip.

[@matthewvanbiene6085]

Congrats boys. Climbed this back in 2016. Easily one of the most memorable outings one can embark upon!

[@manochom]

great video Ty, so glad you could enjoy our pizzas!!

[@dtan2817]

I enjoyed your write ups as much as I did from watching your video. Keep the moral up and be safe out there

[@alexvaught3892]

Ah man, gets me so TORQUED!

[@maxasaurus3008]

I don’t know why but 16:42 almost made me swallow my own tongue I laughed so hard!

[@larsbee]

I wish I could say I'm too old for this but in the other video a 67 year young dude climbed up those walls... 🤣

[@ferdinantlaem4069]

Me with a lil bit soar throat: Yeah today’s not my day I’m staying home. Jacob with Covid: Fuck dude we still gonna climb Fitz Roy.

[@geoffswyka1143]

Dude, you are seriously talented, thanks for bringing us along!

[@KevinSmith-wr1sy]

Your videos are addicting Tyler!

[@rookiemoves]

Having been on Whitney with COVID this past summer, I don't envy Jacob here. Nice push, great video

[@stevebarratt888]

5:48 Pre-installing the second ATC stops thin rope slipping, @Tyler Karow?

[@iacamigevaerd376]

I can see a few advantages: - both climbers can check each others setup - if you like tying a stopper knot, you only have to knot one strand - safer simul rap on a single strand (3ppl party, first 2 go together) But that's just my take, maybe they got other reasons

[@diegomeier2722]

Felicitaciones, good "fast climbing" adventure. We came across with you near to de summit of the Mermoz

[@fabian6917]

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@Lenhakas]

So the guy at the start of the video is the famous Rolo I keep reading about?

[@benaldrich9149]

So glad to have you back posting again! Keep up the great work

[@oldo-nicho]

Stunning conditions!

[@marianogarcia9292]

this is the best climbing chanel by far, congrats tyler keep doing this amzing work, greetings from El Calafate!!

[@lemmingsoutside]

This video makes me so happy and stoked to get out into the alpine. Keep em coming brother!

[@haldanborglum7895]

16:40 Hah Thomas is a real one for that

[@Lee-qf9uf]

Life is too short for what I just went through. I can't wait for what's ahead.

[@dcl505]

We all have our little outdoorsy secrets, I personally love to wear pink hello kitty panties and top when roaming the mountains, even though they're for 8-10yo woman and squeeze chest and butt badly, it's a priceless experience and pleasure to feel yourself like a little cute fairy flying over the flowering alpine meadows.

[@XxDreamBotxX]

Man incredible videos but can’t help but keep tally of all those that pass, gotta really be about this life…total and absolute respect Tyler

[@loopghost]

COVID + Fitz Traverse. A combo made in an climbers nightmare.

[@Debrugger]

Badass! Also really cool to get to actually see you climbing.

[@maciveri]

What a send dude Inspiring video and spectacular effort Looked as though you enjoyed excellent conditions for the most part Keep on keeping on x

[@123426807]

Hi Tyler. Love your videos man. All these missions you do are really inspiring. What diameter are the two ropes you have in this video? Keen to get an idea of what kind of gear one should have for Patagonia. Also, if you ever want to come check out some of our bigger walls in South Africa, let me know :)

[@pkmexplorers]

Great stuff as always

[@andrewmitchell5807]

Official alpine climbing slice of life channel

[@dougcrowley2356]

Great video

[@stumpy25lbs]

Epic! Nice work lads 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@aaronswank]

Beasts!!

[@benjoseph6089]

Wow. Awesome!

[@epincion]

Amazing thanks

[@dillproductions83]

Are you still using the Hero 7 black for these videos? Or have you upgraded

[@tylerkarow]

Still a 7 black with a very cracked screen

[@kurtz1209ghdkfk]

Sick man! Awesome climbing 🤜💥🤛

[@ZacharyRanck]

So freaking rad dude!

[@chinguskim7616]

rip john bolte

[@bottombracket]

Beta from Rolo. Can't beat that!

[@joseserrano8179]

Holy shit how are your videos scarier than free solo

[@squamishstu]

Jacob is a fucking trooper!

[@testboga5991]

Epic

[@jxph7]

this is EPIC >>>>>>>> i dream this , and just another day for you guys 🙄

[@jaggedclimbing]

Totally sick

[@ziloj-perezivat]

I dont remember subbing but I'm happy that I did

[@leezy7201]

probably noticed already but biner is opening up on the haul around 11:10…grin.

[@Leander_]

Very cool.

[@lucasboyd5876]

Awesome

[@user-nb5uf3zn1t]

мужик ты делаешь настроение )))) !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@arturofustet5883]

How do yo get the ropes after you descend?

[@Coleginter]

remember when we closed the world for covid and now u can climb fitz with it and its no big deal?

[@nickhenscheid369]

Insanely epic. Almost makes me want to climb this type of shit, lol.

[@moogod1185]

is that the rab ultra mythic puffer? was thinking of getting one, would love to hear your opinion on it. sick vid as always, enjoy patagonia :)

[@mayer101]

Amazing🎉🎉

[@paulmitchell5349]

All that counts is water, food and a warm bed...but you already knew that.

[@noahfrancis4525]

Can I be you? What amount of training did it take for you to get to this skill level?

[@kevinw1129]

Wow, climbed that with Covid. Respect!

[@feelinghealingfrequences7179]

imagine outer shell gear not treated with hydrophobic spray or wash

[@edwardshelley3488]

Where is the "super-like" button

[@climberrob7108]

Is that Thomas who went or goes to MIT?

[@5_12c2]

damn i am jealous

[@Netbug]

16:42 It worked.

[@GeoffreyThomasGonzales]

holy fuck your progression

[@chrisdude1001]

You missed the opportunity to eat a Toblerone at the summit.

[@neodude]

🐴

[@alexvaught3892]

Your horse comment really made the whole vid for me.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

I wish he had not decided to climb when he wasn't feeling well.

[@kreterakete]

Cold fingers..❤ climb.

[@lbanzr2655]

amazing

[@LukeSeed]

Epic