Cerro Pan de Azúcar, Mountain summit in Santa Cruz, Argentina.

Cerro Pan de Azúcar is a flat-topped mesa 116 m above sea level beside Ruta Nacional 3, 45 km north of Caleta Olivia in Santa Cruz. Wind erosion shaped its plateau summit, which ends in vertical stone walls; the only easy way up is the gentler western slope. A metal post marks the top, with names of climbers painted on nearby rocks.

Before Argentine colonisation, the area around the hill was crossed by indigenous peoples, whose archaeological remains have been found there. Until the end of the last century the Hermanos Acinas company extracted lime from the abundant clams of the zone, leaving only vestiges today. From the 1960s, when oil production began south of the San Jorge Gulf basin, the hill was already regarded as a landmark, and it drew the attention of Italian workers of the Saipem company.

The hill is nicknamed La Tumba de Patoruzú after old bone remains were found in the area once crossed by indigenous peoples, giving rise to the legend that it holds the last Tehuelche chief. Italian workers of the Saipem company, active in northern Santa Cruz in the 1960s, were struck by its shape.

The hill stands on a private estancia, so entry requires the owner's authorisation. From Ruta Nacional 3, reaching the base on foot takes about half an hour over more than 2 km. The climb is gentle except for the vertical rock walls of the flat crown; the only feasible route is the west side. Check the forecast: sustained winds of 80 km/h with gusts above 120 km/h are possible.

Locals call it La Tumba de Patoruzú, after ancient bone remains found in the area once crossed by indigenous peoples; the find gave rise to the legend that the hill is the grave of Patoruzú, the last Tehuelche chief, mixing Dante Quinterno's comic character with popular imagination.