Once in a Lifetime in Val Lietres, spectacular ice climb in the Dolomites

Once in a lifetime. This is the name and, above all, the feeling the South Tyrolean alpinists Daniel Ladurner, Hannes Lemayr and Florian Riegler had in February when they climbed what is highly likely to be a grande new route up Col Turont in Val Lietres, a side valley located in the Puez - Geisler mountain group in the Dolomites.

At the start of February Lemayr noted that, quite unusually, a drip was beginning to form opposite the famous Dolomite testpiece Jumbo Jet. After having called his regular climbing partner Daniel Ladurner, a few days later Lemayr hiked back into the valley on his own to check out conditions and climb the first few meters on his own.

As soon as Ladurner was free from work commitments, Lemayr and Ladurner returned to the base of the route together with expert ice climber Florian Riegler. The trio climbed the entire 165 meter line and equipped it with bolts and pegs where they deemed necessary.

On 18 February the three returned to make the first free ascent. It was, in Ladurner’s words, a "special moment" as they knew they had just experienced something unique. Something that, as they stated happens only once in a lifetime.

TOPO: Once in a Lifetime, Val Lietres, Dolomites

Riegler thanks: C.A.M.P., La Sportiva

Link: FB Riegler Brothers, FB Daniel Ladurner, Instagram Daniel Ladurner