Frequently Asked Questions
We all have questions about this event that we use as inspiration and background for our book and our tips. You may also have questions about self-knowledge, leadership, drive, the meaning of resilience, questions about teamwork, applying ethics in your life or work, and so many more. This section aims to resolve the most common questions.
If your doubts persist, please write to us via chat (the button below and to the right) or by email at hola@masfuertes.net, We´ll be happy to respond.
How many survived in the tragedy of the Andes?
16 young men (aged mostly between 18 and 25 years old) survived the plane crash in the Andes mountain range.
​What is the name of the Andes tragedy movie on Netflix?
​The film produced by Netflix has the same title as Pablo Vierci's book, The Society of the Snow.
How long were those from Alive in the Andes?
The young rugby players survived 72 days, between October 13, 1972 and December 23 of the same year.
What is the name of the movie about the plane that fell in the Andes?
​The most recent production is from Netflix by the Catalan director J.A. Bayona and its title "The Society of the Snow" The first film was directed by Frank Marshall and was called "Alive!"
How long were the survivors of the Andes in the mountains?
The pasengers lived 72 days at 3.500m from sea level, after the crash of the Uruguayan Air Force plane. Of the original 45 passengers and crew members that departed from Montevideo, only 16 survived. This is a story about a tragedy and a miracle.
​Which plane was the one in the Andes tragedy?
The plane that crashed in the Andes mountain range in 1972 was a Fairchild FH-227D of the Uruguayan Air Force. The charter flight crashed on Friday, October 13, 1972, having left the previous day from Montevideo (Uruguay) bound for Santiago (Chile).
Why did the Andes plane crash?
​Very adverse weather conditions occurred in the area with strong winds and snow. In addition, there was a miscalculation by the pilot who did not take into account the deviation from the course, causing the plane to crash into the rocky peaks in the area.
How long were the survivors of the Andes in the mountains?
​The young men spent 72 days since the Uruguayan Air Force plane fell in the mountain range at more than 3,500 meters high. Of the 45 passengers who left Montevideo, only 16 survived. It is the story of a tragedy, but also of a miracle.
What are the names of the survivors of the Andes Tragedy?
Pedro Algorta, Roberto Canessa,Alfredo Delgado, Daniel Fernández, Roberto Francois, Roy Harley, José Luis Inciarte, Alvaro Mangino, Javier Methol, Carlos Páez Rodríguez, Fernando Parrado, Ramón Sabella, Eduardo Strauch, Adolfo Strauch, Antonio Vizintin, Gustavo Zerbino.
How far did Parrado and Canessa walk?
They walked for 10 days, overcoming all kinds of obstacles, before meeting the muleteer Sergio Catalán. The distance is difficult to calculate - even today - and some estimate 55 kilometers, but when they left, they thought it would be 100,000 steps.
Where is the plane from the Tragedy of the Andes?
The plane fell in Glaciar of the Tears (de las Lágrimas), Malargüe County, Mendoza Province, Argentina (Andes mountain range). It was 3,500 meters above sea level where the air is very thin and just 1,200 meters from the border with Chile.
Were the survivors of the Andes closer to Argentina or Chile?
The plane went down in Argentina and they were closer to civilization and a potential rescue walking in that direction than towards Chile. They chose to head west (Chile) due to an error by the crew.
How were the survivors of the Andes saved?
The young men applied their spirit, their determination, leadership and great teamwork. They applied all of this within an ethical framework that was remarkably sustained despite the very difficult circumstances they had to face.
How did they survive in the Andes without water or food?
​While they believed that rescue was imminent, they sustained themselves with the scarce food (nuts, canned goods, chocolate, wine) available in the hold of the plane and the passengers' suitcases. These were rationed. When they were consumed, they looked for other items that could nourish them, such as belts or leather shoes. They were discarded because they contained chemical ingredients that could make them sick. After much personal introspection and discussion among the survivors, they decided to feed on the protein of their deceased friends.
The water - so necessary to survive - was laboriously produced by melting ice and snow in a device designed and assembled by themselves. It only worked when the sun appeared.
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