Swiss climber and IFMGA mountain guide Caro North has spent much of her life seeking out new challenges in some of the world’s most remote mountain regions. In this episode of Mountain Voices, she reflects on a journey that began on the slopes at the age of two, progressed to climbing at 11, and led to her first major expedition on Aconcagua when she was just 16 years old.
Although she turned back only 100 metres below the summit, the experience sparked a lifelong passion for exploration and a deep connection with South America. Since then, Caro has built an impressive climbing résumé that spans the Himalaya, Iran, Armenia, Alaska, Antarctica and Greenland. Her achievements include establishing dozens of first ascents and developing 55 new routes in a remote area of Patagonia near Bariloche.
Among the stories shared in this episode is a remarkable sailing expedition across the North Atlantic to reach unclimbed objectives in Greenland, as well as her recent participation in the first all-female ascent of the South African Route on the East Face of the Central Tower of Paine in Patagonia. The demanding climb took 13 days in difficult conditions and highlighted the resilience and teamwork required for success on big-wall objectives.
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Caro also discusses her work as a mountain guide, the lessons learned from years of expedition climbing, and the balance between life in Switzerland and El Chaltén, Patagonia. The conversation offers an inspiring insight into a climber whose career has been defined by curiosity, determination and a passion for discovering what lies beyond the horizon.