
Guillermo (Willie) Benegas
Willie spent his youth climbÂing in NorthÂeast PatagÂoÂnia with his father and twin brothÂer, DamiÂan. This served as a strong backÂground for a develÂopÂing climbÂing career, which took off when he and DamiÂan moved to the States at age 21. They headÂed straight for the big walls of Yosemite, where in the years to folÂlow they made over 40 ascents of El CapÂiÂtan. Each year Willie has returned to ArgentiÂna to guide trips on Aconcagua, a mounÂtain he has climbed over 50 times. These ascents include the difÂfiÂcult South face, and a speed record which he held for five years. In 1995, he made an impresÂsive first ascent of the North face of TranÂgo TowÂer in PakÂistan. He has since led over 20 Himalayan expeÂdiÂtions, includÂing nine EverÂest sumÂmits, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, an attempt on the North face of JanÂnu, and a new route on Nuptse, dubbed The CrysÂtal Snake, which earned him and DamiÂan the presÂtiÂgious GoldÂen Piton Award. Willie has also set speed records in Africa on Mt. KilÂiÂmanÂjaro and Mt. Kenya, and with his brothÂer, has made three attempts on the highÂly covÂetÂed PakÂistani peak Latok 1 and has done first ascents on the big walls of BafÂfin Island. HavÂing also climbed dozens of BoliÂvian and PeruÂvian peaks, he has earned a place among the elite in the world of high altiÂtude alpinÂism. Willie is a fulÂly sponÂsored memÂber of the North Face athÂlete team, and a cerÂtiÂfied AMGA Rock & Alpine Guide.