Final Resting Place

Taken on an expedition to the crash site in February 2006.

On Friday 13th October of 1972, an Uruguayan plane, which was carrying 45 passengers to Chile, most of whom were students and rugby players, crashed in the Andes Mountains.

Twelve of the people died in the crash. The survivors not only had to withstand the hunger and the fearful Mountains, but also 30 degree-below-zero temperatures during the night.

They tried to survive with the scarce food reserves they had until being rescued, but they lost their hope when heard that the search had ceased on the radio.

Desperate owing to the lack of food and physically exhausted, they were forced to feed themselves on their death partners to keep on living. Finally fed up with the extremely low temperatures and the avalanche threats, as well as anguished by the continuos deaths of their partners and the bad rescue prospects, two of them decided to cross the huge mountains to reach Chile.

On 22nd of December of 1972, after being isolated for 72 days, the World found out and knew there were 16 survivors that beat Death in the Andes mountains.

Excellent photo Dave, rindo mi homenaje a los muertos en el accidente del Fairchild F-27 de la FAU. Thanks.

incredible photo to remember these Uruguayan heroes

Thank you David for this photo. I read the bok years ago and it was both sad and inspirational. Thank you for making that journey for those of us who can't. Best wishes, Palmina in Australia

nice done man.I really wish to be there some day,even I am too far from there.

This is now the exact spot of the memorial as the area has been re-imaged to fine detail

I read the book, what an amazing and frightening story. Thanks for sharing this image. How hard is it to get there? Best regurds, Cheers Josh Lewis.

Hi Josh,

It was a lot easier to get to than I thought. Details available from http://www.alpineexpeditions.net speak with Ricardo Pena, an excellent guide.

May god bless all victims of crashed airplane "Fairchild" in the Andes, on the 13th of october 1972. Our hearts are still with you after so many years.

You survivors did a marvelous job to be alive and return to live. it is a real miracle. The whole story has an encouraging effect for people who will face some unexpected disasters in the future.

I personally feel those schocking days and tragic event. You are not alone, we love you all brothers and sisters.

With warm regards from Turkey. by OMERIM58

Hi Dave, How hard was the trek to the West that Nando and Canessa took and which you all retraced?

The trek was challenging, but not all that difficult. Need a head for hights and a backside of a hardned cowboy. Need a bit of fitness as the altitude does get to youa bit, but this is easily overcome by walking slow and taking rests. The trip is very safe and guided by http://www.alpineexpeditions.net and Ricardo peno who is an excellent and well respected guide.

Hope this helps

DaveW

Great photo! Canessa and Parrado are heroes. Good bless the survivors.

Good capture!!

Look at this

Greetings from Argentina, Enrique

為愛活下去－跨越生命中的安地斯山

Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home 作者：南度．帕拉多、文斯．勞斯 原文作者：Nando Parrado、Vince Rause 譯者：黃芳田 出版社：遠流 出版日期：2007年08月30日 語言：繁體中文 ISBN：9789573261445 　

1972年10月13日星期五，一架滿載烏拉圭橄欖球運動員與家屬的飛機，在飛越安地斯山脈時碰上亂流，墜毀在冰天雪地之中。劫後餘生的27個年輕人受困在冰封險峻的山上，飽受飢餓、酷寒與雪崩的襲擊，又獲知搜救隊已經放棄搜救，到最後沒有食物可吃，倖存者只好忍痛割下亡者身上的肉……

I saw the movie 25 years ago "sobrevivientes de los andes" and find here in this picture that I imagined a long time ago when I was a child. congratulacions The last week I heard a conference with a survivor Carlitos Paez,is than interesting that I am here.

A todos aquellos que emprendieron ese viaje el 13 de octubre de 1972, a los que estan en el Cielo como a los que estan aun aqui en la tierra, que Dios les Bendiga, desde Guatemala mi respeto y toda mi admiracion.