20/06/2026
The final stretch is the hardest. Sleepless nights in the tent, the thin air that made every breath a struggle… but my teammates kept pushing me forward. It wasn’t about the summit of the Pucarani, but about the magic of the Cordillera Blanca. We enjoyed the unparalleled beauty, while Mathias’s altimeter became our silent compass. From 5,500 meters, things got really serious: five steps, pause, gasp for breath. Poco a poco, step by step, gritting my teeth. The descent later was treacherous, with loose dust and pebbles, but once down by the river, the sun broke through fully and I felt pure relief. This was without a doubt one of the toughest days of my life. I take this opportunity to list my highest climbing experiences: Everest Base Camp & Gokyo – Nepal 1998 at 5,554 meters, then Nido de Cóndores – Aconcagua 2013 at 5,580 meters, followed by El Misti – Arequipa – Peru 2003 at 5,900 meters.
And then… the moment of truth. The altimeter kept ticking: 5,995… 6,000 meters! Yes, I had done it. My highest record ever, in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca – Peru 2026.
