1st Ascent of Cerro Mimosa on Patagonian Icecap - 1973
52 minutes

 Trailer

In these days of global travel and disappearing wilderness it comes as a surprise to discover that there is an area covering 9,000 square miles of little explored and charted territory. Situated at the southern tip of South America, the Patagonian Ice Cap is a vast expanse of crevassed ice and volcanic peaks swept by storms that hurtle up from Antarctica via Cape Horn.

Three British mountaineers - Eric Jones, Mick Coffey and Leo Dickinson set out to cross the Patagonian Ice Cap - 9,000 square miles of giant glaciers and volcanic peaks on the borders of Chile and Argentina - one of the least-explored places on earth. The team plan to parachute into the frozen plateau but are forced to travel on foot, hauling sledges with massive loads over the difficult terrain and finding another use for their parachutes. Land of Mist and Fire follows the party as they trek across this remote, dangerous and wildly beautiful land to scale Cerro Lautaro, a previously unclimbed peak in the middle of the ice field. The adventurers figure on a four day trek. It turns out to be 18 days as they haul two ten foot sledges and hundreds of pounds of equipment over difficult terrain in soaking rain. They encounter ridges and peaks that rise above the surface of the ice like reefs and islands.
The atrocious weather keeps the trio holed up for two weeks when within striking distance of the peak. The delays increase the risks as their supplies diminish, and their increased exposure to the harsh elements demand caution and care as they manage their resources so they will last until they reach their objective.

They have to be sure they have supplies for the return trip. When the weather clears the party sets out and conquers Cerro Lautaro. The warm ash and sulphur fumes of the slopes provide a stark contrast to the swirling mists of the Ice Cap. Elated by their success they move across the ice this time on skis, and climb an uncharted peak which in mountaineering tradition they claim the right to name. They dub it Cerro Mimosa, after the ship which brought the Welsh pioneers to Patagonia in 1865. Now a swift return is vital. They ditch their non-essential equipment to lighten their load and speed their journey.

Land of Mist and Fire captures the beauty and isolation of this unique and treacherous region and more importantly, it captures the spirit of pioneering which is becoming increasingly rare these days.

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