Cayesh: The Calling

Synopsis

In June 2005, Steve House and Marko Prezelj achieve a remarkable feat by climbing a new route on Cayesh, an 18,765-foot peak located in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru. The ascent on the west face takes them 16 hours and 30 minutes roundtrip from the glacier. The climb consists of 11 pitches, starting with an uncertain 450 feet of an ice/snow couloir, followed by steep mixed climbing rated at M7+. They tackle one pitch of pure rock at 5.10, situated at an altitude of 18,000 feet, before concluding with a final pitch of ice and snow that leads to the summit cornice.