Watch a Send of Fly, a 19-Pitch 5.14b in Europe
The massive route was freed nearly a decade ago by Alex Megos. It was established in 2009
Fly is the second most difficult climb in Switzerland. It follows a steep line up a limestone wall on Staldeflue peak in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Alex Megos made the first free ascent in 2014 after four days.
The climb consists of 19 pitches in increasing difficulty that culminates with the last four pitches of 5.13+, 5.13a, 5.14b and 5.14a. When Cédric Lachat attempted it, together with Tobias Suter, he found himself struggling with the conditions.
“When the sun beats down,” Lachat says, “the climbing becomes almost impossible.” And it was because of the heat that he fell after sending most of the route. He decided to wait a few hours and try again.
Fly 5.14 in Switzerland
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