Pushing Boundaries: A First Descent on Vulcan Lautaro

When Thor and his longtime adventure partner Matt Tufts set their sights on Vulcan Lautaro, the tallest mountain on the southern Patagonian ice cap, they weren't just planning another ski trip. They were pursuing a mountaineering Holy Grail—a never-before-skied north face that had captured their imagination since their previous Patagonia expedition in 2023.

• Total Distance: Approximately 150 kilometers of walking, skinning, and winter camping
• Ski Descent: 32 kilometers
• Vertical Elevation: 2,324 meters
• Summit: Vulcan Lautaro's previously untouched north face

First descents are a lottery of environmental conditions, and Vulcan Lautaro was no exception. The summit's top section was, in Thor's words, "wretched ice crapola," exactly as they had anticipated from their pre-trip research. But beneath that challenging layer, a surprise awaited: surprisingly good snow on the more direct north face.

"When it comes to first descents, you really do not know what kind of snow you are getting into until you are on it," Thor reflected. The descent offered moments of pure skiing bliss, chalky powder with a soft, cushioned base that made the grueling approach worthwhile.

Survival in such extreme conditions comes down to two critical factors: gear and partnership. For Thor and Matt, their most crucial equipment was simple but essential:

1. Tent
2. Stove
3. Boots

And when gale-force winds threatened to derail their expedition by destroying their tent, their partnership was put to the ultimate test. Their advice? "Find the right partner because things will go wrong. And when they do, you'll need someone to hold the tent down so it doesn't blow away."

Gourmet dining takes on a different meaning in the wilderness. Their culinary highlight was surprisingly luxurious—homemade freeze-dried meals prepared by a local friend in El Chalten, heated up on a JetBoil. "Truly 5-star dining on ice," Thor chuckled.

This expedition wasn't just about skiing an untouched line. It was a testament to human resilience, preparation, and the unbreakable spirit of exploration. For Thor, it was another chapter in a lifelong love affair with skiing, a passion that has shaped his identity and continues to push him beyond known boundaries.

Renoun Skis celebrates athletes, like Thor, who don't just ski the mountain, they communicate with it.