Two Mega New Mixed Routes in Switzerland

Jeff Mercier, Simon Chatelan and Ron Koller climbed two mega new winter mixed route at Oeshinenwald near Kandersteg in Switzerland.

The area is well-known for its other test-piece routes such as the 70-metre Baretritt WI5+.

"Rösti Graben", la petite mais jolie 2eme longueur. ? : @hugovincentphotography #wearerab #petzlgram #crosscallmobile #picoftheday #epic #iceclimbing #climb #climbingpicturesofinstagram

A post shared by Jeffmercier (@jeffmercier74) on Jan 4, 2018 at 10:49pm PST

Mercier and Chatelan first climbed Rostigraben in late December. The three-pitch bolted M10+ climbs through an eight-metre roof.

Chatelan told PlanetMountain.com here, “”The first pitch breaches poor quality rock. The ice is very thin and although not particularly difficult, protected by some bolts.

“This is followed by a transition pitch past some mixed climbing and steep ice (WI5) that leads to the base of the crux pitch. This, with its 8 meter roof and two intermediate drips, proves very physical (M10+). The climb then finishes up a large hanging drip and another five meters of difficult ice.”

Chatelan and Koller established the three-pitch Loch, Keile et compagnie at the start of January at WI4+. The pitches break down to M9+, WI4+ and M8. The route hasn’t been climbed in one push.

Après les mouvements physiques de dry-tooling à l'horizontale, arrive le moment de la finesse avec les ancrages dans la glace fragile des épées suspendues. ? : @hugovincentphotography #petzlgram #wearerab #ice #climbing #photography #epic #lasportivagram

A post shared by Jeffmercier (@jeffmercier74) on Jan 9, 2018 at 10:27pm PST