The sport climber grovels up to the hutte (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
The sport climber grovels up to the hutte (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
Colin approaching the Gruettenhuette
Looking for treasure at the end of the rainbow!
A fine view across the range - the objective (Rittlerkante) is close to the left side
Bauernpredigtstuhl left of centre, right of leftmost couloir (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
Close up of the Gruettenhutte, a great place to begin your adventure in the Wilder Kaiser!
Looking back down to civilization from the Gruettenhutte
Off to the start of the route
Looks like a first timer to me!
The pro enjoys a pre-climb cigar (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
Beautiful morning view
Future objective...
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Late risers...
Looking up from the Gruettenhutte first thing in the morning
CM on the approach from the hutte to the Bauernpredigtstuhl (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM gets squeezed by the exit chimney of pitch 2 (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM, happy to be past the crux of the pitch and into the security of the chimney (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM starts up easy pitch 3a (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM begins pitch 3b, approaching a the big chimney of the route (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM trying to figure out where to step back left, pitch 3b (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM enters the big chimney looking for some good pro, pitch 3b (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM greases himself up to slither up through the big chimney, pitch 3b (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM finds the belay, with big air below, pitch 4 (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM realizes he's about to lead the top pitch, the glory pitch, the most difficult pitch on the climb :) (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
With blank looking rock and no visible pro above, CM sets a good first anchor before setting off (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
Clipping a hidden bolt that added lots of security for the difficult moves above (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
Trying to find some good handholds on the blank rock (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
Using the gear to make upward progress (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM latches a great finger jam in a crack (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
Looks like a satisfied customer
CM stands guard at the edge of space - top of pitch 5 overlooking the Elmauer Tal and Gruttenhutte in the background. Beautiful day! (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
Colin conquers the last objective
Interesting use of protection
Looking back down to the Gruettenhutte from the top of the Bauernpredigstuhl
Sliding down the ropes on the first rappel (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
Starting down the third rappel toward solid ground (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
CM enjoying the rappel down, and looking forward to the wiessbier (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
One more rappel to the base of the tower (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
Last man down
The Rittlerkante route on the Bauernpredigtstuhl, in profile (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)
The approach trail is a little exposed...
To the victors go the spoils...
Some pre-hike chillin'
From wilderness to civilization in a matter of a few hours (photo by Colin Stewart, courtesy of crag-conditions.com)