First 8c for Barbara and Sabine Bacher

It's not an everyday occurrence that brothers and sisters share the same interests but in the case of the Bacher sisters one can certainly state that climbing is an integral part of family life. The two Austrians are highly talented climbers, best known for the outstanding competition results, and they have now both managed to send their first 8c.

29-year-old Barbara and 28-year-old Sabine managed to up the ante and send this mythical grade by redpointing Schwarzer Schwan - black swan - at Armelenwand, a small crag in the Ötztal. This outcrop was discovered and developed by local strongman Markus Haid and Schwarzer Schwan is reputed to be one of the most beautiful and impressive routes in this Tyrolean valley.

For more details and images check out www.oetztalclimbing.com