»Ötzi trifft Yeti«, 8+/5.12a, is the first route of the Tre Cime Marathon.On this route, we climb with a headlamp at night. At first light, we jumpfrom Cima Piccola. It`s a tricky jump: 280 meters and 4 seconds of free fall.
»Phantom der Zinne«, 9+/5.13a. 600 meters of steep climbing separate the base from the top. The BASE jump from the "Ringband" near the summit is relatively safe with 8 seconds of free fall. Landing in the talus is difficult, though. Thethe last route, »Schweizer Dach«, 5.12c, is the goal of our adventure.
Dean Potter and I at the base of our first route.At 1 am we embark on our adventure: Team Redpoint,50 vertical pitches and two base jump on the »Tre Cime«.
Thomas looks for the way on »Ötzi trifft Yeti« in the darkness.Dean stays focused climbing up to 5.12a with hisheadlamp showing what lies ahead.
Thomas is optimistic.They are making good progress. Without trouble,they manage the first route and rap to the exit point for the jump.
3…2…1…Go! At first light, Thomasjumps from Cima Piccola.
»Phantom der Zinne«: eventhe easier pitches are steep and demanding.
Dean, apparently lost in thevertical sea of »Cima Grande«.
The jump from »Cima Grande«.
At the base of »Cima Ovest«. 500 meters remain to the finish line. 10 Minutes later,Thomas´ left foot slips. Thomas tried to avoid a fall and injures himself in the process.The result: A tendon rupture in the shoulder. They have to accept defeat.
A year later, Thomas returs to Tre Cime without Dean. The project has stayedon his mind. He begins on Cima Ovest, climbing »Alpenliebe«, 5.12d, jumping fromCima Ovest. Next up is »Phantom der Zinne«, 5.13a, on Cima Grande.The finale: »Ötzi trifft Yeti«, 5.12a, to the summit of Cima Piccola.
During summer, Thomas trains on theroutes and practices the jumps.
OK…ready…breathe…3…2…1…Go! Launch…gravity accelerates…your mind is wide awake.At the right moment, you pull the chute.
The fatal jump from Cima Grande in August 2007: Jump, flight and openingwere perfect. Yet the landing in the talus was out of control because of air turbulences.A badly bruised thigh is the result. The project has to be postponed once again.
Summer 2008: Thomas believes in himself and is confident that he can be successful this year.
The Team that will support Thomas on his attempt at the Marathon: Peter Gams (Base),Alexander (Cima Grande), Peter Anzenberger (Cima Ovest), Martin Kopfsguter (Cima Piccola).
Peter belays Thomas on his night-time ascent of »Alpenliebe«. Definitely a particular kind of adventure.
Thomas and Peter on the summit of »Cima Ovest«. It is 4 am.A successful, but strenous night lies behind Thomas.
Thomas and Alexander on the summit of »Cima Grande« aftera successful ascent of »Phantom der Zinne«.
Thomas and Martin on the summit of »Cima Piccola« aftera successful ascent of »Ötzi trifft Yeti«.
Finally there: after 50 difficult pitches, 2 BASE jumps and22 hours of non-stop concentration. Time stands still for a moment.
The Project »Tre Cime«:a vision becomes reality.
2008
Tre Cime
»Base & Climb«
SOUTH TYROL / ITALY
The Tre Cime Marathon
Words: Thomas Huber
A word that perfectly fits the Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Dolomites: Unique. Their steep faces hold a crucial place in alpine climbing history. Paul Preuß, Comici, Cassin and my brother Alexander had all found their challenges here. Because of the special shape of these mountains and with a bit of imagination I found my personal adventure on the Tre Cime.
My idea was to link all three summits of the Tre Cime. Three routes, three summits and two base jumps in 24 hours. The starting point was on the Cima Piccola and the goal was the top of Cima Ovest.
In 2006 the actual plan was ready: The first route had to be climbed at night. Ötzi trifft Yeti, 5.12a, on the Cima Piccola, then a BASE jump from the Cima Piccola. Next was the Phantom der Zinne, 5.13a (today after much aggressive cleaning it is 5.12d at most) on the Cima Grande North Face and again back down the quick way over the north face. Then came the third and last route, the Swiss Route, 5.12c on the North Face of Cima Ovest, to the summit. More than 50 pitches of steep climbing at 5.10, 5.11 and 5.12.
I was able to convince the excellent climber and BASE jumper Dean Potter from the US to join forces on this project. We trained together and wanted to redpoint the link-up as a team. At the beginning, everything went according to plan: We had no trouble climbing Ötzi trifft Yeti on Cima Piccola during the night, the early morning BASE jump also went according to plan. Same for the Phantom der Zinne and the second jump. Then, my foot slipped on the first pitch of the Schweizerführe. In an unfortunate series of events, I luxated my left shoulder. A painful tendon rupture in my shoulder was the consequence. We were forced to accept defeat.
Dean Potter had his sights set on other projects during the following summers. I was determined to bring the adventure to a good end. In 2007, I again had to postpone the undertaking because of a training injury.
In 2008, things finally turned around. Hard training, great motivation, and my tenacity finally paid off. In mid-August I had perfect conditions. A stable high pressure system was above the Dolomites.
My plan has changed since 2006. Different belayers will support me and I will try to redpoint everything. I also redefine the »routing«. The start was now to be the Cima Ovest and the goal of the vertical marathon was the summit of Cima Piccola.
MY SUPPORT - MANY THANKS!
Peter Gambs, my BASE partner: He climbed the regular routes up the Cima Ovest and the Cima Grande and jumped with me. Peter Anzenberger belayed me during the night on Cima Ovest. Alexander, my brother and partner on Phantom der Zinne. Martin Kopfsguter, who kept me psyched on Cima Piccola and kept me from falling asleep at the anchors.
THE CHALLENGE
More than 1.500 meters of climbing, a total of 48 vertical and overhanging pitches, some at 5.10, mostly 5.11, and several at 5.12 .
THE ADVENTURE
August 15th, 22:30: I start up the Alpenliebe with Peter Anzenberger. Everything works out perfectly, we are fast and I manage to redpoint everything, until… towards the end of the crux pitch (pitch 10/5.12d) it’s suddenly pitch dark… the battery of my headlamp is empty. I have no chance at all to climb to the anchor in the dark. On my second try a hold breaks and fall into the night. A little bit unnerved I send the pitch on my third attempt. The way to the summit is now free. We summit at 4 am.
At 6 am, Peter Gambs and I jump off along the Scoiatollikante. 5 seconds of free fall, a suboptimal parachute opening, but I can adjust well, the landing is ok.
At 7.00 am, starting up the Phantom: I know it well and easily dispatch everything up to the crux pitch. At the crux, three BASE jumper pass us on their way down. What an awesome sound! I climb to the anchors on my first try. Oh yeah! I am psyched! While I climb the upper 5.10 pitches, which are quite demanding, I start noticing my fatigue. At 2.00 pm Alexander and I reach the summit of Cima Grande.
After a short break I jump off Cima Grande with Peter Gambs. 8 seconds of free fall, a good opening and the landing is ok.
At 3:30 pm I start climbing up the last route with Martin. Even though Ötzi trifft Yeti is only rated 5.12a, I have to give everything. Martin has to wake me up several times at the anchors. There is barely any energy left. It’s a true fight and I have now found my challenge.
Around 7:30 pm I reach the summit with Martin. I have reached the goal, I have arrived. A long emotional journey with many highs and lows ends - happily - now.
TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO
Source: Wikipedia
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Italian for "the three peaks of Lavaredo"), also called the Drei Zinnen (German, literally "three merlons"), are three distinctive battlement-like peaks, in the Sexten Dolomites of northeastern Italy. They are probably one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps.
The three peaks, from east to west, are:
- Cima Piccola/Kleine Zinne ("little peak")
- Cima Grande/Große Zinne ("big peak")
- Cima Ovest/Westliche Zinne ("western peak")
The peaks are composed of well-layered dolostones of the Dolomia Principale (Hauptdolomit) formation, Carnian to Rhaetian in age, as are many other groups in the Dolomites.
Until 1919 the peaks formed part of the border between Italy and Austria. Now they lie on the border between the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Belluno and still are a part of the linguistic boundary between German-speaking and Italian-speaking majorities. The Cima Grande has an elevation of 2.999 metres (9,839 ft). It stands between the Cima Piccola, at 2.857 metres (9,373 ft), and the Cima Ovest, at 2.973 metres (9,754 ft).
1. ALPENLIEBE
CIMA OVEST
North Face, 2.973 m
Dolomites, South Tyrol
ALPENLIEBE
500 meters, 17 pitches, 5.12d
FIRST ASCENT
1996, Christoph Hainz and Kurt Astner
BASE-JUMP
From the top of the Scoiattoli,
ca. 5 seconds of free fall
2. PHANTOM DER ZINNE
CIMA GRANDE
North Face, 2.999 m
Dolomites, South Tyrol
PHANTOM DER ZINNE
500 meters, 17 pitches, 5.13a
FIRST ASCENT
1995, Christoph Hainz and Kurt Astner
BASE-JUMP
From the Cima Grande,
ca. 8 seconds of free fall
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2. ÖTZI TRIFFT YETI
CIMA PICCOLA
North Face, 2.857 m
Dolomites, South Tyrol
ÖTZI TRIFFT YETI
300 meters, 10 pitches, 5.12a
FIRST ASCENT
2000, Christoph Hainz and Kurt Astner
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