Stefano Ghisolfi frees L'Arenauta 9b at Sperlonga, Italy

Today at Grotta dell'Arenauta close to Sperlonga in Italy Stefano Ghisolfi managed to free L'Arenauta, which the 28-year-old believes could warrant 9b.

The route is an old project bolted over 20 years ago by Giuliano Tarquini, straight through the center of the cave via a spectacular line that crosses a 20m horizontal roof. The line is split into two distinct sections, the first up to a rest is about 8b+ from where, as Ghisolfi told planetmountain.com "... the hard part of the route begins, through a horizontal roof, about ten intense movements, with a bouldery move which is always really touch-and-go and also very technical."

Ghisolfi attempted the route at the start of January but then had to go return home, where he trained specifically for the knee bar rest. He sent the line earlier today in perfect conditions and should the grade be confirmed, this would be the first 9b in Central Italy.

At the end of December Ghisolfi established The Lonely Mountain, a 9b at Eremo di San Paolo close to Arco. The grade was confirmed by swift repeat at the hands of Adam Ondra at the start of January.

Stefano Ghisolfi 9b or harder
11/2015 - Lapsus 9b, Andonno, Italy, first ascent
01/2017 - First Round, First Minute 9b, Margalef, Spain
11/2017 - One Slap 9b, Laghel, Arco
01/2018 - La Capella,9b, Siurana
12/2018 - Perfecto Mundo 9b+, Margalef, Spain
12/2019 - Stoking the Fire 9b, Santa Linya, Spain, first repeat
09/2020 - Change 9b+, Flatanger, Norway, first repeat
01/2021 - Erebor 9b/+, Eremo di San Paolo, Arco, first ascent
08/2021 - Bibliographie 9c, Céüse, first repeat
12/2021 - The Lonely Mountain 9b, Eremo di San Paolo, Arco, first ascent
02/2022 - L'Arenauta 9b, Sperlonga, Italy, first ascent

Links: FB Stefano Ghisolfi, IG Stefano Ghisolfi, La Sportiva, CAMP