Huaraz, Peru – The Pou brothers, accompanied by Micher Quito, recently successfully descended from The Sphinx, a 5,350-meter mountain in the Cordillera Blanca range, after helping to rescue Italian climber Tomas Franchini. The rescue effort involved a grueling ascent to extract Franchini’s body, followed by a harrowing descent under the cover of night.
Rescuing a Fellow Climber
The Pou brothers, experienced mountaineers, received the news about Franchini’s accident at the Rajucolta ravine in Huaraz. With Franchini’s body half-buried due to the force of his 300-meter free-fall, the Pou brothers, Micher Quito, and other rescuers had to lower it down using ropes, navigating the challenging terrain as falling rocks whistled past them.
“We are proud to belong to this group of crazy dreamers capable of giving everything to help others,” said the Pou brothers.
Climbing La Cruz del Sur
The Pou family also tackled La Cruz del Sur, a renowned rock climb, during their recent expedition to Peru. Located in the Parón ravine, the wall offers over 5,000 meters of vertical granite with sections of 7c+/800m. With long distances between anchors, the climb requires precise teamwork and exposure.
Exemplary Rescue Effort
The rescue of Franchini is a testament to the mountaineering community’s values of camaraderie, kindness, and altruistic solidarity. The Pou brothers and their team overcame significant risks to recover the body of their fellow climber and ensure he could return home to his loved ones.
“The values of the mountaineering world prevail. We are the group of ‘crazy dreamers’ capable of giving everything to help others,” reflected the Pou brothers.
In Search of Perfection
For the Pou family, every climb is an opportunity to push themselves, to explore the unknown, and to strive for perfection. As professional mountaineers, they consistently set their sights on the most challenging ascents and routes.
“Together, with Micher and all the support team, we strive for a higher purpose – to push beyond our limits, in a moment of great difficulty for our beloved friend,” said the Pou brothers.
