Gressoney, super ascents by Moroni, Ondra and Nolasco

The crag Gressoney high in Italy's Valle d'Aosta has been buzzing with activity of late, with three important ascents worthy of a mention. The first dates back to Thursday 8 July when Gabriele Moroni freed "Elementi di disturbo", a bouldery pitch which Moroni had attempted last year and which he now feels is a hard 8c+.

The second important ascent was carried out a few days ago, when Czech climber Adam Ondra repeated the crag's magic line, SS26, the super route established by Alberto Gnerro in 2006 and then repeated by Moroni in 2007.

Giuseppe 'Pippo' Nolasco isn't a name which we often come across, perhaps because he's a full-time plumber. Despite work commitments the third repeat is his: last Saturday the 26-year-old redpointed SS26 which now seems to be settling in at 8c+. Grades well aside, it's worth underlining Pippo's thoughts about SS26: "...it's a beautiful route and, above all, completely natural."

Both SS26 and Elementi di disturbo were bolted and freed by local strongman Alberto Gnerro, just like almost all the routes in this small vertical haven. In the next few days he will reveal the delights of this beautiful summer crag.