Nalle Hukkataival climbs Rätikon's Silbergeier

Hukkataival travelled to Switzerland last week and, after having tried the pitches quickly over three days, repeated the 240m line together with climbing partner Tomi Nytorp. At present there are few details about the ascent but while it's clear that, at least in theory, Hukkataival could send this legendary route, things obviously change considerably high up on the face. Above all if experience in the mountains is very limited...In fact, Hukkataival recounted that his was "Quite the experience as it was my first real multi-pitch!”

A true baptism of fire therefore for one of the strongest boulderers in the world. As is widely known, Silbergeier was established, ground-up and in 1993, by Beat Kammerlander on the IV Kirchlispitze in the Rätikon massif. The route was first freed a year later by the Austrian ace who, in doing so, created a true symbol for utmost technical and psychological difficulties in the mountains. Even if confirmation ins't really necessary, Hukkataival's recent repeat just goes to show how, at times, the step from a 10-move boulder problem to a 200+ metre climb can be a lot shorter than one might think.

TOPO: Silbergeier, Rätikon