Nemuel Feurle sends 'Silbergeier' in Switzerland's Rätikon massif

I first got to climb Silbergeier back in 2019 with Jacopo Larcher. In the years that followed, I returned repeatedly and actually came close to a redpoint on several occasions. Often, we had to retreat down due to thunderstorms and rain.

As a result the route was often tied to mixed emotions for me. It’s highly conditions-dependen: sometimes it's too hot, other times too wet, or simply too windy — and that somehow dampened my motivation. There were phases when, in all honestly, I didn’t feel like giving it a go at all

This year though I headed to the Rätikon early. I knew I was fit enough, but I also wanted to wait for perfect conditions. And last Monday, accompanied by my Silbergeier friend Ties, I managed to redpoint five of the six pitches. We abseiled off the final pitch after I’d attempted it five times.

I took a rest day and tried again on Wednesday with Lara Neumeier. During the approach, I focused on enjoying myself rather than obsessing over a redpoint. On the lower pitches, I realised I was completely in the flow — probably the key to everything that then followed. We raced to the fifth pitch (the crux) in no time. The sun didn't make it easy for me, so I only succeeded about 6.5 hours later, once the wall was in the shade and I committed to another "training lap."

Shortly after, while climbing the exposed runout to the belay below the last pitch, I realised that only one pitch remained. I secretly hoped I'd worked it enough to climb it free. After Lara joined me at the belay, I gave it a shot. And halfway though the crux, I wondered why I hadn’t sent it on Monday.

Silbergeier taught me another cool lesson: multi-pitch climbing isn’t just about the hardest pitch. Even “easier” pitches demand full commitment.

Looking back, I’m glad Silbergeier didn’t go easy on me and that I gained so much experience. Now though I'm happy that I've finally redpointed this iconic climb.

- Nemuel Feurle, Austria