France – Italian Alpinists Matteo Della Bordella, François Cazzanelli, and Francesco Ratti have climbed a new alpine rock route called Incroyable, on the Red Pillar of Brouillard on Mont Blanc . The ascent of the 290-meter route took two days, in which they aided through difficult sections. Returning with a fourth climber, Isaïe Maquignaz, a week later, they freed the route.
Writing on his Instagram account, Matteo Della Bordella noted:
“Opening a new route on the Red Pillar of Brouillard, such an iconic pillar full of history, made of perfect red granite and located in one of the most dramatic places of the massif was a dream,” wrote Matteo Della Bordella on Instagram of the initial ascent. “It was a big satisfaction turning this dream into reality following the style I like most and with two psyched and strong partners!”
The Red Pillar was first climbed in 1959 by legendary Italian alpinist Walter Bonatti and partner Andrea Oggioni. This new line is eight pitches long, the crux pitch graded at 8a (5.13b).
