At the beginning of October, Swiss climber Dimitri Vogt successfully climbed one of the most famous multi-pitch routes in the Alps: Silbergeier (8b+, 6SL) in the Rätikon. For Lacrux, the Bernese man reviews his climb again - and explains what role climate change plays in it.
Testimonial from Dimitri Vogt
At the end of September to the beginning of October I spend a few wonderful days in the Rätikon with my colleague Samuel. Our goal is the difficult multi-pitch route Silbergeier. We spend two days checking out the individual pitches. Even though all the individual points have been decoded, climbing through doesn't really feel realistic to me.
The tricky slab areas feel too unsafe for me to be able to climb them all in one go.
Dimi Vogt
Silbergeier: In the realm of possibility?
After a two-day break and a detour to the climate demonstration in Bern with some climbing colleagues from the national team, I started multi-pitch climbing again on Sunday. My goal is to try to tie together longer pieces of the route.
I managed to climb the first pitch successfully on my first attempt. This led me to spontaneously attempt to climb the entire route without much hope of success.
Dimi Vogt
Samuel supports me in this. Somehow it seems to be my day because I manage all of the next three pitches straight away. The fact that I have already mastered the first four pitches efficiently motivates me and I am beginning to believe that a climb is within the realm of possibility.
Willpower and persistence: Even with climate change
The sun beats on the south wall. I climb practically all pitches without a shirt because it's so warm. Countless temperature records have already been broken this fall. Global warming is progressing and it is urgent time to act.
After all, the day before, 60 people demonstrated on the Bundesplatz in Bern for more commitment to climate protection. Just as I hope to successfully master the next pitch, I hope even more that politicians, together with society, will soon take more concrete steps against global warming.
Luckily there is now a light wind. After a break at the warm but cozy spot, I try the difficult 8b+ pitch.
With a lot of willpower and thin skin, I manage to climb the key pitch on the second attempt. Then I fight my way up the last difficult length.
Overjoyed and somewhat amazed at what just happened, I find myself at the top of Silbergeier. Once again I realize that the seemingly impossible can become possible with a lot of willpower and persistence. This must now also happen in the fight against global warming.
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Credits: Cover photo and images in the text Dimi Vogt & Samuel