The Italian climber Federica Mingolla was able to claim the first female ascent of the ultra-classic "Path through the Fish" in the Dolomites last summer. A film version of the on-site visit has now been published.
The Way through the fish is a demanding alpine climbing route on the Marmolada south face in the Dolomites. The route is 1220 meters long (wall height 920 meters) and has 37 pitches. The route is technically, psychologically and due to its length an extremely demanding undertaking. The name comes from a rock niche in the middle of the wall that is shaped like a fish.
First ascent in techno style
The route was opened in August 1981 by the two Slovaks Igor Koller and Indřich Šustr (then only 17 years old) in technical climbing without using bolts (VII, A1). It is one of the most demanding climbing routes in the Alps due to the exceptional length, the poor protection and the brittle rock in the lower and upper parts.
Redpoint, Onsight and Free Solo
The first repetition of the route succeeded in 1984 Luisa Iovane together with her partner Heinz Mariacher. In 1987, together with Bruno Pederiva, he managed the first red point ascent. Maurizio Giordani was able to conquer the route solo in 1990, requiring a self-belay in a total of 9 pitches. Daniele De Candido also managed the first onsight ascent in 1990, followed by the South Tyroleans Roland Mittersteiner and Hanspeter Eisendle in 1992. Christoph Hainz also climbed the 1992 Tour Onsight.
On April 29, 2007, the then 23-year-old Hansjörg Auer managed a free solo ascent of the route. He only needed two hours and 55 minutes for this (a normal two-person rope team usually needs two days for the ascent). The preparation for his attempt consisted of abseiling down the route the day before, during which he memorized the key points.
Video about the visit by Federica Mingolla
Successful on July 17, 2016 Federica Mingolla the first female ascent of the route in the Dolomites. The film of their inspection has now been released.
https://vimeo.com/204263843
Interview with the free solo climber Hansjörg Auer
In the following video interview you can see Hansjörg Auer, who started the route free solo in 2007. The music in the background is awful. You are forewarned.
Dear Radaktion. Igor Koller, who was the first to climb the path through the fish, is a Slovak and not a Czech. Although he was born in Czechoslovakia, until 2019 he was the chairman of James, which is a Slovakian mountaineering organization. Thanks for your input and correction. Yours sincerely, Kompanek Ctibor.
Hello Ctibor
Thanks for the hint. We adjusted it!