Bold Solo by Austrian Alpinist in Italy
Austrian alpinist Hansjorg Auer soloed a classic route called Mephisto on Sass de la Crusc in the Italian Dolomites.
During the last week of August, Auer soloed the 1979 route that was first climbed by Reinhard Schiestl and Luggi Riesser as reported by Planet Mountain.
Auer is known for what is one of the world’s hardest free solos, The Fish Route 5.12+ on Marmolada in 2007.
Mephisto was the first grade VIII in the Alps and it was first climbed in only five hours using minimal protection.
Auer’s soloing career has had ups and downs and he wasn’t certain that he would solo another big mountain route. Visit Planet Mountain for an insightful interview.
–Â For more about Auer, visit his website here.
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