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Giovanni Mattiello: First Bike Descent from Cerro Mercedario (6,720 m)

There are places where the air grows thin, fatigue becomes a constant companion, and every step requires a conscious decision. In these extreme landscapes, the boundary between man and mountain fades, and the only way forward is to listen to your body, respect nature, and accept that every meter gained is the result of strategy, mental strength, and physical endurance.

This was the setting for Giovanni Mattiello’s latest feat. Together with his adventure partner, Andreas, he embarked on a journey to the limit between Chile and Argentina, with the goal of climbing and descending Cerro Mercedario (6,720 m) by bike—an achievement never attempted before.

Starting from Santiago, Giovanni and Andreas crossed Paso Los Libertadores to acclimatize before heading into Argentina. After a stop in Barreal, they began the real expedition—two days of off-road riding to reach Laguna Blanca (3,000 m), the base camp for their ascent.

Advancing step by step through increasingly extreme conditions, they pushed past base camp at 4,300 meters, tackling the tough stages between Pircas dos Indios (5,200 m) and Lo Jada (5,700 m). Bad weather intensified the challenge, forcing them to bring forward their final push to the summit.

The night before the ascent, relentless wind and snow made resting impossible. But at midnight, as the moonlight revealed the icy path ahead, Giovanni knew it was time to move.

The Final Ascent

With labored breaths and freezing temperatures, Giovanni and Andreas began their final climb. At 6,200 meters, their cameraman was forced to stop due to altitude sickness, leaving them alone for the long, grueling traverse to the summit.

At 6,400 meters, exhausted in body and mind, Giovanni chose a direct line to the top, while Andreas took a longer route along the ridge. As Giovanni reached the summit, the sky suddenly closed in, and snow began to fall. There was no time to celebrate.

In the eerie silence of the peak, a strange detail made the moment even more intense—every time Giovanni raised his arm, he felt a static buzz in the air. The mountain was charged with electricity, a clear sign that a thunderstorm was imminent. Staying there meant risking a lightning strike. Without hesitation, they snapped a few quick photos and launched into their descent.

The First Descent in History

Fresh snow made it impossible to ride at the summit, but lower down, where ice gave way to compact gravel, the bikes finally started to roll. For the first time ever, someone was descending Cerro Mercedario by bike.

The route was uncertain. To avoid retracing their difficult ascent, they chose a more direct line down the glacier. “Better to fall into a crevasse than to repeat that damned traverse,” Giovanni joked. Luckily, the ice was solid and stable. The adventure was far from over, but the summit was now behind them.

The descent was no easy task. Carrying 25 kg backpacks, Giovanni and Andreas crossed glaciers and rocky terrain before reaching base camp, where mules retrieved their gear. The final stretch back to civilization was an adrenaline-fueled ride through endless descents and breathtaking landscapes that only extreme altitude can offer. But something was left behind on that mountain. The Crossfire Trail, white at the start, had collected the dust of the roads, the signatures of those who crossed paths with them, and the marks of an adventure that would never be erased.

This was more than just a sporting achievement—it was a lesson in adaptation, strategy, and respect for the mountain. At high altitude, rushing is the greatest mistake: every step must be calculated, every decision carries weight, every breath matters.

The greatest challenge? Becoming small in the face of the vastness of the Andes and continuing to move forward—one meter at a time.

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