Christoph Hainz makes first ascent of 'Dolomiti Race' on Piz Ciavazes (Sella, Dolomites)

It seems impossible that there is still room for something new on Piz Ciavazes in the Sella group of the Italian Dolomites, yet between the end of May and the start of June Christoph Hainz managed to unearth an interesting line that he has called Dolomiti Race.

Established ground-up and on his own, this is described by the South Tyrolean mountain guide as "a very beautiful multi-pitch alpine sports climb on grey and reddish rock marked by pockets." According to Hainz "the climbing is exposed. The entire route is bolted and all the belays are equipped with chains."

13 pitches lead to up to the Camosci ledge, to the right of the classic Schubert route and the large gully that splits Piz Ciavazes in half. The descent is carried out by following the ledge west to then join the normal route down from the Second Sella Tower.

Hainz teamed up with Harald Mair on 16 October for the first free ascent, and with difficulties up to 7a+ max and 6b+ obligatory, Dolomiti Race promises to become very popular in the near future. The climb has already seen a handful of repeats and the feedback, according to Hainz, has been "super positive".