Just a few days after freeing the legendary route of Kurt Albert and Wolfgang Güllich, Riders on the Storm, in the company of Belgians Nico Favresse and Siebe Vanhee, Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll decided to stay in Patagonia to reconnect with himself. Taking advantage of solitude, he accomplished an unprecedented solo traverse of the four Torres del Paine from February 23rd to 26th, 2024. Impressive!
No doubt about it, Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll is quite the character. Known for his tousled beard, his distinctive accent, and his flute, this remarkable individual remains first and foremost a top-tier mountaineer. By linking up the Sur Tower, the Central Tower, the Norte Tower, and the Peineta via the ridges in Torres del Paine between February 23rd and 26th, 2024, he once again demonstrates that when it comes to granite and Patagonia, he belongs among the elite.
At the summit of Torre Norte, the wise man takes his break. ©Madgalena MST/Patagonia Vertical
In February 2021, the Belgian climber of Hispanic-Irish descent—an intriguing combination—had already made waves by completing the first traverse of Fitz Roy from south to north: the “Moonwalk Traverse.” All this without informing anyone beforehand. An ascent that had nevertheless not gone unnoticed as it earned him a “Piolet d’Or”. Quite an achievement!
The route of the link-up outlined. ©Patagonia Vertical
Three years later, Sean repeats his feat with this new traverse of the four Torres del Paine armed only with his courage and motivation. A traverse he decides to