Klemen Becan frees Privid 8c+ at Bohinjska Bela, Slovenia

At the end of April Slovenian climber Klemen Becan made the first ascent of Privid 8c+ at Bohinjska Bela, Slovenia. Privid, which translates as Vision, had been equipped in 1999 by Matej Sova but success elduded him, in part due to perennial wet holds in the crux section. This spring's exceptional dry spell resulted in many Slovenian crags being their driest in decades, including the just-off vertical, super techical Bohinjska Bela.

Klemen Becan climbed through the 20 move undercut crux to free the line at 8c+, making it the hardest in the area. Spured by this success, Matej Sova repeated the line three weeks later, confirming its grade.

Located close to the enchanting spa lakes resort Bled, with almost 100 routes Bohinjska Bela is one of Slovenia's little gems. The best time of year is spring and autumn, summer tends to be too hot and in winter the crag often seeps.