25 February 2026

Remember The Summit: the story of Chris Bonington and the Mountain Film Festival at Estancia Cerro Guido

In the 1960s, when much of the Paine massif was still a remote and largely unexplored territory, Estancia Cerro Guido was much more than just a cattle ranch. At that time, it became a key logistics and supply hub for some of the most important mountaineering expeditions in Chilean Patagonia.

Between 1962 and 1963, the estancia witnessed the arrival of Sir Chris Bonington and Don Whillans, two of the most important names in world mountaineering. Part of the logistics for the historic ascent of the Central Tower of the Paine massif were coordinated from here, a feat that would mark a turning point in the history of exploration in Torres del Paine.

Each expedition left its mark on the territory… and also on this estancia, which was a silent witness to the spirit of adventure that characterized an era when Patagonia still held many of its secrets.

A return filled with memories

More than six decades after that expedition, Chris Bonington returned to Patagonia to reconnect with the landscapes that marked his life. This journey is the central theme of the documentary Remember The Summit, directed by Timothy Dhalleine and produced by Estancia Cerro Guido together with Swoop Patagonia.

At 91 years old, and while living with Alzheimer’s disease, the documentary accompanies Bonington on a deeply human journey: an attempt to reconnect with memories that time has erased, but which the Patagonian landscape still seems to preserve. During filming, Chris returned to the territory of Estancia Cerro Guido, closing a circle between past and present, between the epic of mountaineering and the fragility of memory.

Watch the trailer for the documentary Remember The Summit here.

Mountain Film Festival at Cerro Guido

As part of the Mountain Film Festival, held on February 23 and 24 at the Villa Cerro Guido gym, the documentary Remember The Summit was screened, along with other audiovisual productions related to mountains, exploration, and the relationship between people and extreme territories.

This event became a gathering place for the local community, visitors, and mountain lovers, where cinema served as a bridge for reflection on adventure, memory, and the value of the landscapes we inhabit.

More information about the Mountain Film Festival

Estancia Cerro Guido: a land of stories

Today, Estancia Cerro Guido remains a place where history, nature, and people come together. What was once a base for pioneering expeditions is now a place that invites visitors to experience Patagonia in a mindful way, connecting with its natural and cultural heritage.

The premiere of Remember The Summit at this location was no coincidence: it was a way to honor the memory of those who explored these mountains, and at the same time, to continue telling stories that originate in this unique landscape at the southern tip of Chile.

Discover the lodging experience at Estancia Cerro Guido.