The mountain was first summitted in December 1972 by Nando Parrado, and shortly thereafter by Antonio Vizintin and Roberto Canessa, survivors from the nearby crash site of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571.

[2][3][4] The ascent began on December 12, 1972, the 61st day after the survivors' plane had crashed, by Nando Parrado, Roberto Canessa, and Antonio Vizintin.

They had the impression that they had crashed at the western limits of the Andes due to their pilot moaning "We passed Curicó" as he died.

Using an aluminium pole brought as a walking stick, Parrado carved stairs into the hard-packed snow.

[2] Vizintin left his meat with Parrado and Canessa, returning to the crash site, and the two carried on westwards from the mountain the next morning.