Life is beautiful on Lagazuoi Nord (Dolomites) for Simon Messner, Martin Sieberer, Barbara Vigl

I'd had this line in mind for years, but I never actually dared attempt it because the rock is partly yellow (which can often be a sign of poor quality) and the face itself seemed too compact, which makes it difficult to protect adequately with nuts, friends and pegs.

But then, on the 23rd and 24th of July, Babsi Vigl and I explored the face to about 2/3 height. Unfortunately we had to turn back below a large yellow overhang... at least for that moment!

A few days later, on 3 August, I returned with my long-time climbing partner Martin Sieberer, and on that day we managed to complete the route, "straightening out" the line and free climbing all the pitches. The result is a very beautiful route and, above all, a line with homogeneous difficulties: 6-, 7+, 5+, 7-, 7+, 7-, 7+, 7...

Some threads with in-situ cordelettes help the route finding, but in some sections free climbing is absolutely obligatory! Strong nerves and good stamina are needed therefore to repeat La Vita è bella, life is beautiful. We'd appreciate it if the route remains as similar as possible to how it was first ascended, thanks!

by Simon Messner

Links: FB Simon Messner, www.simon-messner.com, Salewa, SCARPA

TOPO: La vita è bella, Lagazuoi Nord, Dolomites

Editor's note: The climb is located on the same face as this historic Via del Drago (C. Barbier, A. Giambisi, C. Platter, 1969), climbs the black stream to the left of Das Orakel (Simon Gietl, Patrick Seiwald 2013). and crosses Via Dorsilla, for which at present we have no information.