Jernej Kruder cruises Greenspit in Valle dell'Orco, Italy

About 20 years have passed since Didier Berthod freed Greenspit in Valle dell'Orco, and even if nowadays the route no longer at the cutting-edge of crack climbing, the 12 meter horizontal roof in NE Italy continues to be a coveted test. The last in chronological order to repeat the line is Slovenia's Jernej Kruder, the winner of the 2018 Bouldering World Cup and European Bouldering Champion 2020. After competing intensely for over a decade Kruder has turned his attention to sport climbing, bouldering, deep water soloing, bouldering, multipitches and crack climbing, the lot. In short, Kruder is an all-rounder like few others. The 33-year-old needed two trips for the send - the first in 2021 - and even if his repeat of this 8b/+ was a given, he confessed that on his first go back on the line he "felt like a beginner again."

GREENSPIT
Greenspit in Valle dell’Orco, Italy, is one of the most famous crack climbs in the world. The crack was originally bolted in the mid eighties by Roberto Perucca with green bolts, hence the name, and in 2003 Didier Berthod chopped the bolts and led the route with pre-placed gear. After his pinkpoint ascent the Swissman returned in 2005 and placed all gear on lead. Over the years the 12m horizontal roof has become a coveted test for some of the world’s best crack climbers.