Luis Penín, David López Sáenz unearth Gaia at Ehrwald in Austria
At the end of February and start of March Spanish mountaineers Luis Penín and David López Sáenz made the first ascent of the mixed climb Gaia (175m, M12?, WI6+) at Ehrwald in Austria.

Luis Penín and David López Sáenz making the first ascent of Gaia at Ehrwald in Austria
After their February repeat of Stirb langsam, the huge mixed climb first ascended in 2017 by Michi Wohlleben in the Wetterstein massif in Austria, Spanish mountaineers David López Sáenz and Luis Penín returned to Ehrwald later that month to establish a difficult new mixed climb immediately to the left.
The 5-pitch outing was first ascended ground-up from 28 February to 9 March and is protected with a mix of trad gear, pegs and bolts and botls. Pitch two is the crux but those above negotiate sections of loose rock and should not be underestimated. Time and energies ran out before they could free their 175m Gaia in a single push, hence the suggested grade M12? WI6+.
Info: www.desnivel.com
Related news
Latest news
Expo / News
Expo / Products
Petzl Irvis Hybrid crampons for ski touring and approaches involving glacier travel.
Ccompact lightweight shock absorber with elastic arms for via ferrata.
Merino Wool Mountaineering Sock.
Fully adjustable harness with four buckles, ideal for mountaineering, winter climbing and via ferrata.
Ever since its market launch, the Barryvox avalanche transceiver has been among the most reliable transceivers in the world.
Technical approach shoe for scrambling and via ferrata