Alex Luger’s Big Send in the Ratikon

Austrian climber Alex Luger reports about his first ascent of the 350-metre 5.14b called The Gift. Luger reported that in August, he sent The Gift on Drusenfluh in Austria. The steep Ratikon wall is known for its stiff routes.

The first four pitches of the route were climbed in 2006 by Pio Jutz. Last year, Luger climbed pitches five through seven on lead and drilling from hook placements. The route took Luger two years of training to complete. With long run outs and a difficult grade, like most Ratikon routes it will likely go some time before a repeat.

In 2014, Luger made the first ascent of Psychogramm, a 5.14R in Austria. Here is a short film from the ascent: