Simon Gietl makes solo winter ascent of Das Phantom der Zinne at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites

South Tyrolean mountain guide Simon Gietl has made the most of stable conditions over the Italian Dolomites with a two-day winter solo ascent of Das Phantom der Zinne on the north face of Cima Grande at the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

The 550m outing was established by the formidable duo Kurt Astner - Christoph Hainz in summer 1995 past difficulties up to IX+ (7c+, 7a+ obligatory), and was described by Gietl as "not only one of the most difficult routes in this area, but also one of the most beautiful!"

Gietl started climbing at 10:00 on the 5th of March and summited at 16:00 on the 6th, after spending the night in his small tent perched on a ledge where Phantom crosses the famous Hasse Brandler.

The 41-year-old had attempted the route before; in winter 2010 with Marc Artesi he reached the central ledge before retreating, while a solo attempt in 2015 failed prior to him reaching the summit.

He knows the Tre Cime massif like the back of his hand and has important first ascents and enchainments to his name, notably the solo winter traverse in 2020, the winter trilolgy with Vittorio Messini in 2017, and the first winter ascents of both ISO 2000 and Pressknödel.