Moritz Welt liberates Lazarus (9a+) at Schiefer Tod in Frankenjura
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Lars Decker
Moritz Welt has made a significant addition to his home Frankenjura climbing area with his first ascent of Lazarus on the 23rd of November. Located at the crag Schiefer Tod, the route was originally bolted by local strongman Markus Bock before becoming an open project.
Welt first tried the line about 2.5 years ago, and spent the first year and a half making sporadic visits to work out the beta. In keeping with the highly selective Frankenjura style, the wildly steep route is very intense and includes tiny crimps, pockets, undercuts as well as two huge drop knee moves. The 21-year-old unlocked all the sequences at the start of the year, then required a further 15 - 20 sessions for the redpoint.
Welt has climbed up to 9a+ in the past, notably Thor's Hammer at Flatanger in Norway in 2021, and all his previous 9a first ascents and repeats went down much, much faster. He explained "Speaking grades, I hesitated a lot going for 9a+. But compared to anything I've done and tried in the past, this just feels one step above."
Difficulties aside, Lazarus will no doubt settle in as an outstanding new new climb in the Frankenjura that is destined to attract hard-core suitors in the near future.
