Laura Tiefenthaler and Babsi Vigl climb the integral traverse of the Drei Zinnen

Last Sunday, Laura Tiefenthaler and Babsi Vigl managed to link up the five peaks of the Drei Zinnen massif. Like Simon Gietl when he went it alone in winter 2020, the two alpinists climbed the traverse from west to east.

The Three Peaks are not just a landmark of Dolomites, but have also always fascinated alpine climbers. Next to the Big pinnacle, the Western Pinnacle and the little one Pinnacle count those too Point of Frieda and Preuss tower to the massif. The power duo Laura Tiefenthaler and Babsi Vigl managed the entire traverse of all five summits last Sunday.

Impressions of the Three Peaks Traverse

  • crossing the three peaks2
  • Three Peaks crossing
  • crossing the three peaks4
  • crossing the three peaks3
  • crossing the three peaks5
  • crossing the three peaks6
  • crossing the three peaks7

Three Peaks Traverse from West to East

The two climbers started their alpine adventure with the Squirrels on the western pinnacle. "The day began quite windy and cold and gave us ice-cold fingers on the first stretch," says prospective mountain guide Babsi Vigl. But they would have managed to warm up afterwards and finish the breathtaking crossing with good flow and motivation.

"The day started out quite windy and cold and gave us ice-cold fingers on the first leg."

Babsi Vigl

From the Westliche Zinne, the duo descended via the normal route and via dulfer further on to the Grosse Zinne. Following the normal route, they climbed down and then back up to the Kleine Zinne, the third summit of the day.

They left this behind on the Innerkofler and then climbed over the western edge to the Punta di Frida. From there it went through the east wall to the last notch and through the west wall to the Preussturm. With the Prussia crack they finished their traverse of the Drei Zinnen massif.

"It's been a crazy day - hard, cold and long. But weekends like this take their toll."

Laura Tiefenthaler

Alpine proven

"It's been a crazy day - hard, cold and long. But weekends like this take their toll,” sums up Laura Tiefenthaler, who successfully completed her training as a mountain guide this summer. The 25-year-old Austrian, who was part of the DAV expedition squad in 2019, made the most of this spring by climbing the Eiger north face aware of oneself. On March 25, 2022, she became only the second woman ever to climb through the Heckmair route.

Interview with Laura Tiefenthaler about her Eiger North Face solo (video starts right at the interview)

That might interest you

+ + +

Credits: Cover photo: Babsi Vigl

News

Rätikon: Babsi Zangerl & Jacopo Larcher repeat “Déjà” (8c+) – the hardest multi-pitch ascent by a woman

With their free ascent of "Déjà" on the south face of the Kirchlispitzen, the Austrian woman and the Italian man have completed their hardest project to date in the Rätikon. It is the first time the line has ever been repeated – and probably the first time a woman has climbed a multi-pitch route graded 8c+.

First 9a+ for Leo Cea (13): “No Pain No Gain” in Rodellar

Climbing a 9a+ was Leo Cea's clear goal for 2026. The year is far from over, but the plan has already been achieved: On September 2nd, the 13-year-old German-Chilean climber completed a real endurance challenge with "No Pain No Gain" in Rodellar.

RENATURATION | Silvan Schüpbach – Trad in Wilderswil

John Thornton's film "Renaturation" follows Silvan Schüpbach to Wilderswil. There, he freed a forgotten sport climbing route from its rusty bolts and then climbed it clean. A film about style, climbing ethics, and what climbing beyond maximum difficulty can mean.

You are our athletes – 25 years of Chillaz

Since 2001, Chillaz has stood for sustainable materials, high-quality climbing apparel, and responsibility towards nature. For its 25th anniversary, we celebrate the history of this Tyrolean family business – and the athletes who bring the brand's vision to life on the rock face.

Rätikon: Babsi Zangerl & Jacopo Larcher repeat “Déjà” (8c+) – the hardest multi-pitch ascent by a woman

With their free ascent of "Déjà" on the south face of the Kirchlispitzen, the Austrian woman and the Italian man have completed their hardest project to date in the Rätikon. It is the first time the line has ever been repeated – and probably the first time a woman has climbed a multi-pitch route graded 8c+.

First 9a+ for Leo Cea (13): “No Pain No Gain” in Rodellar

Climbing a 9a+ was Leo Cea's clear goal for 2026. The year is far from over, but the plan has already been achieved: On September 2nd, the 13-year-old German-Chilean climber completed a real endurance challenge with "No Pain No Gain" in Rodellar.

RENATURATION | Silvan Schüpbach – Trad in Wilderswil

John Thornton's film "Renaturation" follows Silvan Schüpbach to Wilderswil. There, he freed a forgotten sport climbing route from its rusty bolts and then climbed it clean. A film about style, climbing ethics, and what climbing beyond maximum difficulty can mean.