Running across the Hielo

FERNANDA MACIEL AND KAYTLYN GERBIN AROUND FITZ ROY AND CERRO TORRE

Ten years ago, the Brazilian ultrarunner Fernanda Maciel attempted to run the Circo de los Altares (Patagonia) in one go, but the weather hampered her dream. She returned with ultrarunner Kaytlyn Gerbin this time.

They tackled the wild and remote Hielo Continental Glacier, one of the world’s largest ice fields and the heart of the Patagonian Andes. Running around the iconic mountains of the Torre and Fitzroy massifs in just 13 hours and 15 minutes, they covered the 78 km and 2,600 metres of positive elevation gain in a route that is usually completed in 7 days. Connecting Río Eléctrico Bridge to El Chaltén put their strength, endurance and technical abilities to the test.