Build My Own FeedBD athlete Albert Leichtfried makes first ascent of longest icefall in Austria
Black Diamond athlete Albert Leichfried teamed up with Benedikt Purner in early December 2009 to make the first ascent of the longest icefall in Austria, the 1000-meter long Moonwalk (WI 6 M7). Moonwalk is a combination of classic north face climbing with serious waterfall and mixed climbing. Below is a short report and photos Leichtfried sent us about the ascent.
Somewhere close to the ridge between the mountains Hohe Warte (2943m) and Sagwand (3227m) in the Zillertal Alps a little runnel has its source. It makes its way all the way down trough the whole north face and ends at the bottom of the Alterer Valley. When the conditions are right, this runnel freezes to a continuous 900-meter long ice line. Once in a blue moon the ice line grows without too much amount of snow. This is the right moment for an ascent of this line. Since last November Benni and I were checking the conditions at the inner Valser Valley. It took more than a year for the right moment. But for such a line, this is not really a long time to wait. We started to realise our project on 3rd of December 2009 by moonshine. After eight hours of non-stop climbing and in total after 14 hours we came home, happy and again by moonshine.
— Albert Leichtfried
United States / English 
