Rocktober: Swiss elite climber in 9a fever

The Swiss climbers have had a successful climbing autumn: Samuel Ometz manages the 9a+ Route X Integral in Gottreux, Dimitri Flick scores Inferno (9a) and Dylan Chuat secures the first repetition of La Mola Mola (9a).

The 22-year-old from French-speaking Switzerland Dylan Chuat gets the second ascent in Plamproz La Mola Mola (9a). The heavy line was set up by Dave Graham in 2010 and by Valais 10 years later Samuel Ometz first climbed.

Dylan Chuat first put his hands on the route at the beginning of Covid, but at the time he felt more intimidated than encouraged to seriously plan it.

After my first attempt, I quickly realized that it was way too hard for me and never went back.

Dylan Chuat

Video: Dylan Chuat climbs La Molsa Mola (9a)

When he returned to La Mola Mola in training mode some time ago, apart from the infamous crux in the middle, he felt comfortable with the route right from the start. The time was ripe for revenge when he discovered a tiny but important detail that made him complete the section relatively easily.

I don't know how I could have missed this detail. But what matters is that I was able to climb this amazing route.

Dylan Chuat

Dimitri Flick scores Inferno (9a)

In Gimmelwald could Dimitri Flick recently recorded a success for himself: he scores points Inferno, the 9a route by Alex Rohr, which combines the most difficult sections of Jungfraumarathon (9a) with the top crux of Gimmelexpress (8c). For Dimitri Flick, Inferno is the third 9a route of his career after Finite Infinity and Jungfraumarathon.

Samuel Ometz repeats X Integral (9a+)

Also the strong Valais Samuel Ometz was able to get his summer project dry before it got too cold and wet. He succeeds in Gottreux X integral (9a+), which Dylan Chuat climbed for the first time this summer.

Climbing 9a+ was always one of my goals. However, I never found a line close to home that really inspired me - except for Integral.

Samuel Ometz

Integral met its criteria in every respect, enthuses Samuel Ometz: “Whether it was the beauty of the line, the handles, the movements or the cool freshness of the north face – I just had to try it and I’m glad I did.”

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Credits: Cover picture Sebastien Maflin

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