Lara Neumeier successfully redpointed the Silbergeier route (8b+, 160m, 6 pitches) in the Rätikon. The German big-wall specialist needed only a few days for the iconic tour on the Kirchlispitze.
The German climber Lara Neumeier has the Rätikon classic Silbergeier repeated, one of the most famous and challenging multipitch routes in the Alps. Before the ascent on June 10, the Allgäu native had spent three and a half days on her project.
I linked the first four pitches in my first sessions, but never managed the crux and barely looked at the last pitch at first.
Lara Neumeier
Lara Neumeier is one of the few climbers who Silbergeier Before her, only two women had climbed the route – Nina Caprez in 2011 and Babsi Zangerl in 2013. This year, Neumeier was the first woman to climb the dreaded trad route psychogram climbed in Bürs.
Extremely bad conditions – and still “sent”
After her project sessions, a bad weather front forced the 26-year-old to take a break of several weeks. Her emotional state when she returned to Silbergeier returned: mixed.
"Actually, everything spoke against the ascent that day," says Neumeier. "I had just gotten my period, and my car broke down on the way to the route. I didn't even know if I'd make it to the rock." Then she also received the news that an important hold on the crux had broken off the day before.
Nevertheless, Lara Neumeier to try it. After the first of the six pitches, a switch suddenly flipped inside her: "I was suddenly totally focused and climbing precisely." Despite the hold breaking, her beta for the crux continued to work, she made it through – and clipped the anchor earlier than expected.
Some days it's not about perfect conditions or timing - it's about trying anyway and giving it your all.
Lara Neumeier
Next Stop: Alpine Trilogy
With this latest ascent, Lara Neumeier proves once again that she is rightly considered one of the best climbers in Europe. And it gives a taste of her next goal: the Alpine Trilogy – consisting of Silbergeier, End of Silence in Berchtesgaden and The Emperor's New Clothes at the Wilder Kaiser.
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Credits cover photo: Ray Demsky