Hohe Warte, Raphaela Haug and Martin Schidlowski strut up Catwalk in Valsertal

Valsertal is a well-known spot for mixed and ice climbing in Tyrol - it was also considered a great winter playground by David Lama and Hansjörg Auer. The two of them completed made some extremely challenging first ascents and winter ascents in this area. A few years ago all the locals talked about Valsertal because of the good conditions on Schrammacher Diagonale. This year the valley is proving popular once again with Moonwalk, a route first ascended by Albert Leichtfried and Benedikt Purner, and Schwarze Witwe (Black Widow) by Simon Gietl and Gerry Fiegl both in excellent condition. Raphaela Haug and Martin Schidlowski have now climbed Catwalk, a probable new line up the NE Face of Hohe Warte.

Haug told planetmountain.com "In mid-December I noticed ice conditions in the valley were good during an ascent of Fußstein Nordkante. Most routes had a lot of ice and to the right of Schwarze Witwe a beautiful line had formed - which would become our destination. On 10 Janaury Martin and I returned to the valley and were able to climb this line, which we named Catwalk. The route starts with two ice pitches up to WI4+, followed by wading across snow and easier mixed climbing. Shortly before reaching the summit ridge there is a mixed pitch that is difficult to protect, which we rated M5. If M5 with tricky pro is too difficult for you, you can bear left into Schwarze Witwe. The summit ridge is reached via easier mixed terrain. From the exit of our route, follow the north-west ridge uphill until you reach the exit of Moonwalk (1 bolt with sling) and abseil and descend down this back to the base of the route. All in all Catwalk is a pleasant outing through the north-east face of the Hohe Warte, easier than its two neighbours in terms of overall difficulties. For those who want to avoid the crowds on Moonwalk and feel that the crux pitch of Schwarze Witwe is too demanding, this is a worthwhile alternative."