Alexander Huber free solos Aguglia di Goloritzé in Sardinia

In mid-October Alexander Huber made a free solo ascent of the symbol of rock climbing in Sardinia, Aguglia di Goloritzè. In order to reach the 148m high summit of Punta Caroddi, as the famous monolith is correctly called, the 54-year-old German climber repeated Easy Gymnopedie. This route was established in 2003 by Enzo Lecis and the line partially follows a route opened in 1988 by Mirco Amadori and Lorenzo Nadali. With difficulties up to 6b max, it ranks as the easiest climb on Aguglia.

Even if this is not ground-breaking news in regard to the technical difficulties for Huber, it is clear that this is still a highly respectable ascent. The free solo was documented for German TV and on reaching the summit Huber descended down the ropes used by the film crew.

Huber has numerous outstanding free solo climbs to his name. These include Hasse Brandler on Cima Grande di Lavaredo in 2002, Der Opportunist (8b) in 2003 and Kommunist (8b+) in 2004 at Schleierwasserfall, Dent du Géant in 2006, the Swiss route on Grand Capucin and Locker vom Hocker on Schüsselkarspitze in 2008, and Murciana at Mallos di Riglos in 2009. Huber judged his most recent free solo as follows: "Climbingwise not an highlight but in terms of aesthetics definitely worldclass.."

For the record, the first solo ascent of Aguglia di Goloritzé was carried out many years ago by Patrick Berhault. As Maurizio Oviglia recounts in his excellent book "Linea Invisibile", the Frenchman was so awestruck by the beauty of the tower that, unable to find a partner, he quickly climbed up Sole Incantatore. He had a rope with him and on only a few short sections did he resort to self-belay...