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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.

Hansjorg Auer soloing the Fish Route in 2007.  Photo Planet Mountain/Auer Collection
Hansjorg Auer soloing the Fish Route in 2007. Photo Planet Mountain/Auer Collection

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.

The Sass dla Crusc in Italy. For more on the range and the routes, visit here.
The Sass dla Crusc in Italy. For more on the range and the routes, visit here.

– For more about Auer, visit his website here.

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