Sports
Ben Sotero: Young Brazilian Climber Pushes Limits in Patagonia
At 23, Ben Sotero shares his achievements in extreme climbs and the mindset that drives him to overcome risks and challenges.
Ben Sotero, one of Brazil's most promising alpinists, reveals how he became the youngest to climb Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in Patagonia. He shares his experience of the first free ascent of Pedra da Fortaleza in Brazil, the struggles, the essential role of fear, and the mindset that led him to the summit. It's a journey of overcoming challenges and self-discovery in the most inhospitable environments.
In this episode of XTREMMA Sports, host Shubi Guimarães welcomes Ben Sotero, a young Brazilian climber who, at 23, has already amassed impressive achievements in global mountaineering. In this revealing conversation, Ben details his journey, from his first tree climbs to the most challenging walls of Patagonia and Brazil, touching on topics like risk, decision-making, and the rare maturity of an athlete pushing the limits.
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From Trees to Mountains: The Call of the Vertical
Born and raised in São Paulo, Ben Sotero showed an early affinity for vertical environments. "I used to climb trees, I was the best climber in school," he recalls. This natural inclination led him, at age 9, to the 90 Graus climbing gym, where he met Paulo Gil, who would become a mentor. Influenced by his mother, who had contact with renowned mountaineer and writer Jon Krakauer, Ben harbored the dream of becoming an alpinist from age 7, even without direct exposure to mountains.
His father, an outdoor mega-athlete, was also a great influence, exposing Ben to various activities like cycling, running, and even a children's mini-Ironman. This active foundation, combined with family support, shaped a determined young man accustomed to challenges. However, Ben emphasizes that the most transformative experience of his youth was a harrowing incident at age 17 on a big wall in Espírito Santo, with his friend Alex Mendes. Lacking proper experience in mountain techniques, he almost succumbed but learned crucial lessons in safety and survival the hard way.
Legendary Achievements in Patagonia: Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre
At age 20, Ben Sotero made history by becoming the youngest Brazilian to climb Fitz Roy in Argentine Patagonia. This ascent was preceded by an intense period of training and the experience of climbing Aconcagua. Ben recounts how the mountain taught him humility. "Patagonia slapped me in the face," he says, realizing that arrogance has no place in such extreme environments.
Three years later, the greatest achievement of his life came: Cerro Torre, one of the most iconic and technical peaks in the world, climbed with his partner Cris Delton. Ben describes the difference between the two mountains: while Fitz Roy is predominantly rock, Cerro Torre is an "ice cream cone of rock," with mixed sections of ice, snow, and rock that demand constant equipment changes and diverse skills. The experience, which lasted five days from El Chaltén to El Chaltén, with three nights on the wall, was marked by the team's light setup (one backpack for two) and the need to climb extremely high-risk routes where any error could be fatal. Ben emphasizes that he was the last to climb Cerro Torre after the route's bolts were removed, and no one else achieved the ascent that season, making his accomplishment even more remarkable.
Reclaiming Pedra da Fortaleza in Brazil
In 2023, Ben returned to Brazil for a personal challenge and a project sponsored by Black Diamond: the first free ascent of Pedra da Fortaleza in Espírito Santo. This 750-meter mountain was the scene of his first significant ordeal at age 17. This time, accompanied by Cris Delton, Daniel (camera), and Zóio, he spent seven days hanging on the wall in portaleds, facing storms and unexpected difficulties. The team completed a ground up ascent, without returning to the ground after starting the climb.
The route proved "very difficult," with 20 pitches, 12 of which were above 8th grade BR and three at 10th grade BR, in addition to cacti and rocks that chafed the skin. The team also corrected sections of the original route that they deemed poorly planned by the first ascenders. Conquering Fortaleza, with Ben embracing the discomfort, demonstrates his evolution and ability to find satisfaction even in the most adverse conditions.
The Elite Alpinist's Mindset: Fear and Overcoming
Ben emphasizes the importance of fear as an essential factor for safety and decision-making. "It's essential, otherwise you die," he states. He highlights that fear keeps you alert and forces you to analyze what can be done to mitigate risk. This perspective leads him to view everyday problems in a different light: "how small your problem really is."
His resilient mind allows him to push the limits of discomfort, like running 57 km on a glacier without specific running training. "If your mind is good and you can stay calm and take a breath, you can do anything," he concludes. For Ben, the mountain is a calling that takes him to a unique mental state, seeking the impossible and proving to himself that he is capable. He plans to move to Yosemite to work as a rescuer and dreams of climbing in the Himalaya, focusing on K2, but not Everest, criticizing the commodification of its ascents.
Ben Sotero's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the belief in one's own dreams. His journey inspires us to pursue the 'impossible,' ignore skeptics, and allow ourselves to dream higher, always with respect for nature and our own capacity for overcoming. He is an example that maturity and responsibility can go hand in hand with passion and adventure, regardless of age, showing that the greatest limit is always the one we impose on our own minds.
To follow Ben Sotero's next adventures, follow him on Instagram: @ben.soterro.
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