Pungitopo (8c + / 9a): Francesco Morandi called, Adam Ondra came, saw and won

Adam Ondra first climbed the Pungitopo (8c + / 9a) line in the Laghel valley outside of Arco - by invitation, so to speak. Local Francesco Morandi spotted the aesthetic line years ago and nailed it. Since it was too hard for him himself, he offered the first ascent to Adam Ondra, who gratefully accepted this offer.

What to do if the newly discovered route is really difficult and you still want to know if it's climbable? That's right, you call Ropegun Adam Ondra on. That has probably also Francesco Morandi thought when he saw the beautiful line in a side valley outside of Arco Butcher's broom (8c+/9a) and continued the drilling work of a climber friend.

As the following video shows, Francesco Morandi did not pick up the phone out of self-interest, but was looking for a worthy first ascent for his creation. Because Pungitopo has a special meaning for him for personal reasons.

Video: Adam Ondra on the first ascent of Pungitopo (8c + / 9a)

That might interest you

Do you like our climbing magazine? When we launched LACRUX, we decided not to introduce a payment barrier. It will stay that way, because we want to provide as many like-minded people with news from the climbing scene.

In order to be more independent of advertising revenue in the future and to provide you with even more and better content, we need your support.

Therefore: Help and support our magazine with a small contribution. Naturally you benefit multiple times. How? You will find out here.

+ + +

Credits: Cover picture AO Production SRO

News

Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free climb the 1000 meter Aid route for the first time

First free ascent: Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free the Bigwall Aid route Picaflor (1000m, 8a+) on Cerro Capicua.

Many more foreign people have fatal accidents

Mountain emergency statistics 2023: In the Swiss Alps last year, 3501 people were in distress and 114 people had fatal accidents.

Seb Berthe repeats Trad masterpiece Bon Voyage (9a)

Seb Berthe secures the third ascent of Bon Voyage in Annot, probably the most difficult trad route in the world.

Elias Iagnemma climbs Burden of Dreams (9A)

Elias Iagnemma repeats Burden of Dreams in Lappnor and secures the fourth ascent of the world's first 9A boulder.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter now and stay up to date.

Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free climb the 1000 meter Aid route for the first time

First free ascent: Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free the Bigwall Aid route Picaflor (1000m, 8a+) on Cerro Capicua.

Many more foreign people have fatal accidents

Mountain emergency statistics 2023: In the Swiss Alps last year, 3501 people were in distress and 114 people had fatal accidents.

Seb Berthe repeats Trad masterpiece Bon Voyage (9a)

Seb Berthe secures the third ascent of Bon Voyage in Annot, probably the most difficult trad route in the world.