Watch: Daughters conquer Argentine peak to recover late father's historic mountaineering photos

In an extraordinary journey of both closure and discovery, two daughters of a deceased Argentine mountaineer have recovered their father's backpack from a treacherous mountain peak, uncovering a treasure trove of personal items and photographs that offer a rare glimpse into his final days.

Guillermo Vieiro, a passionate mountaineer, tragically lost his life in 1985 at the age of 44 while descending Tupungato, one of Argentina's highest volcanoes, located in the Andes. For decades, his family had been left in the dark about his final moments, but a chance encounter last year would set the stage for a profound reunion with his memory.

While climbing the mountain, mountaineer Gabriela Cavallaro spotted a long-forgotten backpack on a slope roughly 6,100 meters (20,000 feet) above sea level. Upon examining it, Cavallaro found film rolls that could provide valuable insights into Vieiro's expedition. She quickly reached out to Vieiro's daughters, Guadalupe, 40, and Azul, 44, eager to embark on a journey to recover their father's belongings.

The family, along with four guides and two filmmakers, embarked on an 11-day expedition in February 2025 to retrieve the backpack from the unforgiving peak. The journey held deep emotional significance for the two sisters, particularly for Azul, who was just four years old when her father died. She reflected on how, despite her initial reluctance and family grief, the experience became an opportunity for healing and reconnection with the father she never truly knew.

"The word 'mountain' was always forbidden in our family. My mother wanted nothing to do with this discovery," Azul shared. "It seemed crazy to me, and I didn't want to return to the place where he had died. But as time went on, I began to think: 'Why not?'"

Inside the backpack, the sisters discovered more than just mountaineering gear—there were also two rolls of film, offering a rare glimpse into their father's life. Among the items were a jacket, sleeping bag, water bottle, and medicines, all still preserved from his time on the mountain. The photographs, captured by Vieiro and his climbing partner, Leonardo Rabal, revealed their momentous achievement: the two men had been the first to reach the top of Tupungato from its eastern side, a particularly difficult and dangerous route.

"The photographs showed something incredible," Gabriela Cavallaro explained. "Vieiro and Rabal's accomplishment is a personal feat and a milestone in Argentine and international mountaineering history. That slope has never been scaled again."

For Azul and Guadalupe, the recovery of their father's belongings was a profoundly emotional experience. "Spiritually, it felt like a greeting: 'I'm still here, I exist. You're not alone,'" Azul said, reflecting on the powerful connection she felt through the objects left behind.

Both sisters expressed their desire to share their father's legacy with the world, announcing plans to donate his belongings to preserve this piece of Argentina's mountaineering history.

Through this remarkable journey, the sisters not only discovered the story of their father's achievements but also rediscovered a man they had lost too early. They learned about his life and passion for the mountains in a way they had never known before. The photographs and artefacts serve as a testament to his legacy and a profound reminder of the enduring connection between family, history, and the mountains.