“Patagonian Chimeras” is a 26-minute documentary about the ascent of the legendary Cerro Torre in Patagonia by a team of female climbers. Like a contemporary fable, it blends animated illustrations, archival photos, and real footage. Lise Billon takes viewers along for the ride (and climb) as she chases her own elusive dreams. All the while, on her own terms, she tackles the current challenges women face in modern mountaineering.
FILM TEASER – “Patagonian Chimeras”
Cerro Torre, one of Patagonia’s most iconic peaks, is known both for its dramatic silhouette and controversial history. In 1959, Italian climber Cesare Maestri claimed the first ascent, though without any tangible proof. A decade later, he returned with a gas-powered compressor to bolt a line up the southeast face, but never reached the summit. The so-called “Compressor Route” became a symbol of conquest at all costs.
This sparked long-standing controversy in the climbing world. Some hailed the feat, others saw it as a betrayal of mountaineering ethics. In 2012, committed climbers removed much of the original gear to restore a more ethical approach to the rock. Since then, the route (renamed “Filo Fureste”) has seen few ascents. In February 2024, three French climbers, Lise Billon, Fanny Schmutz, and Maud Vanpoulle, made the first all-female ascent of this historic line. They climbed the southeast ridge via the iconic Compressor Route (graded 5.11a, A2, WI4, VI).
Without claiming any heroics, they chose to share their compelling experience. Patagonian Chimeras tells the story of their ascent, blending real footage, archive material, local life, and hand-drawn animation. Thoughts about women’s current place in climbing and mountaineering, and the many ways to adventure in the mountains.
A contemporary fable about the mountains, mixing mountaineering and animation
The film showcases the first all-female ascent of Cerro Torre’s Southeast Ridge through a deeply personal and reflective lens. It offers a nuanced take on a legendary route long defined by masculine narratives of conquest and controversy.
Told as a modern fable, the story unfolds through Lise Billon’s written narrative, weaving philosophical reflections, alpine performance, and poetic animation. The animated sequences, created by Flore Beaudelin, give form to internal questions, metaphors, and unspoken ideas, offering a symbolic and imaginative counterpoint to the climb itself.
The film is guided by a very personal and literary voice. Lise Billon, both the lead character and narrator, delivers a thoughtful, sometimes satirical, and often introspective voice-over. She explores such notions as commitment, gender expectations, and the mountain hero archetype.
The film raises subtle but ongoing questions:
How do women position themselves in a space historically shaped by male ambition? Why must their presence still be justified? Does a feminine perspective about the mountains really differ from the traditional one? Rather than glorify the feat, the film focuses on a shared experience, friendship, and the choice to simply be in the mountains, rather than focus only on the summit.
History of the Route
To understand the legacy of this climb, it is essential to look back at the history of the Compressor Route on Cerro Torre. It all began in 1959, when Italian mountaineer Cesare Maestri claimed to have made the first ascent with Austrian climber Toni Egger, who died under mysterious circumstances during their descent, taking with him the camera and evidence of their success.
The greatest victory
in the history of mountaineering
Upon returning to Italy, Maestri announced his victory and was hailed as a hero. Egger had died, but they had achieved a remarkable feat. For Lionel Terray (who made the first ascent of Fitz Roy in 1952), the success of Maestri and Egger was “the greatest victory in the history of mountaineering.”
However, there was no tangible evidence of their achievement, and subsequent expeditions found no trace of their passage on the final 300-meter headwall. This lack of proof fueled doubts within the mountaineering community.
Conquest by any means,
masculine obstinacy?”
In the face of growing accusations, Maestri returned to Cerro Torre in 1970, determined to prove his legitimacy. He brought with him a massive 80 kg gas-powered compressor to drill into the rock and set hundreds of bolts, creating a kind of iron ladder up the wall.
Yet, despite these considerable efforts, he gave up on climbing the rime-ice mushroom capping the true summit of Cerro Torre. This highly controversial act symbolized a radical approach to mountaineering, marked by a strong sense of virility where conquering the summit was justified by any means. In 1979, Americans Steve Brewer and Jim Bridwell made the first full ascent of the Compressor Route, setting the standard for the route despite the controversy surrounding it.
However, in 2012, two American climbers, Jason Kruk and Hayden Kennedy, removed the last of Maestri’s bolts to protest against the excessive use of unnecessary fixed gear, reigniting the debate. A few days later, the young David Lama made the first free ascent, climbing without using any of the bolts left by Maestri. Since then, the route is now referred to by its new name, “Filo Sureste,” following the natural lines of the wall.
On February 28, 2024, after several days on the route together, scaling the massive wall move-by-move, Lise Billon, Maud Vanpoule, and Fanny Schmutz took the last few steps to the top of the summit snow mushroom. In the closing stanza of this trio’s unique composition, their Chimera of elusive hopes and uncertain dreams gives way to a beautiful major chord.
Production team and distribution
Climbers and characters
- Lise Billon: High mountain guide, professional mountaineer, and coach of the FFME Women’s National Mountaineering Teams. Second woman to receive a Piolet d’Or. Lise calls Chamonix home between expeditions to the most remote corners of the planet.
- Fanny Schmutz: High mountain guide, coach of the FFME Women’s National Mountaineering Teams, member of the Chamonix Guide Company. A mountaineer to the core, her many years of experience on expeditions to the world’s biggest mountains have not diminished her motivation.
- Maud Vanpoulle: High mountain guide, coach of the FFME Women’s National Mountaineering Teams, PhD in sports science. In addition to being intelligent, she excels in everything she does, from steep skiing to stout climbs.
Media Crew
- A film by Lise Billon
- Production: Fast Prod
- Filmmaker: Guillaume Broust
- Screenplay: Hervé Bodeau
- Main photography: Jan Novak
- Aerial footage: Tyler Lekki
- Additional photography: Guillaume Broust, Nate McDonald
- Paintings and Art Work: Flore Beaudelin
- Animation: Valentine Castillo
- Visual Effects: Benoit Jodry
- Motion Design: Alex Lopez
- Colorgrading: Art-N-Grade
- Original Score: Zikali
Film Distribution
The film will be touring the international outdoor film festival circuit in 2026. It has been selected for the Summer Edition of Mountains On Stage 2026. The film is made available to festivals via the FilmFreeway platform. It will be also broadcast on TV and through VOD, and will be available on Petzl’s Youtube channel in mid-2027.