Lara Neumeier climbs 'Silbergeier' in Rätikon, Switzerland

Germany's Lara Neumeier has successfully repeated Silbergeier, one of the most famous hard multi-pitch routes in the Alps. She made the redpoint on June 10th, after just 3.5 days of projecting, belayed by climbing partner Katherine Choong.

Located on the IV Kirchlispitze in Switzerland's Rätikon massif, Silbergeier was established ground-up by Beat Kammerlander in 1993, and has since earned legendary status for its technical difficulty, commitment, and striking position high above the valley. The route demands a refined blend of physical power and mental precision and features six sustained pitches: 8b, 7c+, 8a+, 7a+, 8b+, and 7c+/8a.

Neumeier, who has sent other hard multiptiches such as El Niño on El Capitan in Yosemite (2024), Headless Children in the Rätikon (2024), Delicatessen in Corsica (2022) and Hotel Supramonte in Sardinia (2018), is now only the third woman to repeat Silbergeier. The first-female-ascent was carried out by Nina Caprez in 2011, while Barbara Zangerl made the second in 2013.

Commenting after her repeat, Neumeier stated "I first tried Silbergeier in early May. Over 3.5 days, I slowly worked my way through the route; figuring out sequences, getting used to the technical & slabby style, and dealing with thin, painful skin. I managed to link the first four pitches but never sent the crux and barely looked at the final pitch.

Then came three weeks of bad & unstable weather. I used the time to rest, grow some skin, and get ready — mentally and physically — for a possible send. When I finally went back, I thought: maybe. But the day before, everything pointed in the opposite direction.

I had just gotten my period, received a painful car repair bill, and got a call from friends who’d just broken a key hold in the crux pitch. Then — just a few kilometres before the parking — my car broke down again. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d even make it to the wall. But somehow, I did. The day started slow. I felt tired, not quite there.

The first pitch felt hard — full-on pump — but I got through. And then, something shifted. I started moving with focus and precision. When I reached the crux pitch, I reworked the sequence — and even tough a crucial hold broke on the day before my beta still worked. I waited for shade. Took a deep breath. And sent.

One last pitch remained. Tricky and bouldery moves. I took some time to figure it out, gave it everything I had — and topped out! Silbergeier — what a route. Sharp, technical, and absolutely beautiful. Some days remind you it’s not about perfect conditions or perfect timing — it’s about showing up anyway, and giving it everything you've got.”

Neumeier’s ascent of Silbergeier marks the first step in an even bigger goal: completing the Alpine Trilogy, ie three of the most difficult multi-pitch climbs in the Alps, all graded up to 8b+ and known for their boldness, beauty, and historical significance. Next up: End of Silence on the Feuerspitze in Berchtesgaden, Germany, and Des Kaisers neue Kleider on Wilder Kaiser in Austria.