Simon Gietl completes first winter solo crossing of the Geisler peaks

South Tyrolean mountaineer Simon Gietl crossed the famous 12 peaks of the Geisler peaks in the Dolomites single-handedly on 14 February 2023

01.03.2023 | With this crossing, professional alpinist Gietl is the first to achieve this crossing solo and in winter.

One year after his first solo winter crossing of all the main peaks of the famous Catinaccio/Rosengarten skyline, Simon Gietl has achieved another mountaineering masterpiece with the first solo winter crossing of the Odle/Geisler peaks. The Geisler peaks consist of 12 summits that form the ridge between the Villnöss Valley and the Gardena Valley in South Tyrol and are one of the most beautiful and famous summit groups in the Dolomites.

On Tuesday 14th February at 5.00 am, the 38-year-old South Tyrolean alpinist set off from his starting point in Campill. The plan was to cross the 12 peaks without having set up a material depot beforehand. This traverse becomes even more extraordinary when you consider that Gietl had never before climbed any of the peaks apart from the Piccola Fermeda. It was therefore more important than ever for the professional alpinist to pack his rucksack as optimally as possible and to estimate how long he would need for the tour. In the end, Gietl had an 18 kg rucksack with him, in which he packed a small tent, a light sleeping bag, a cooker, a 60 m rope, carabiners and hooks as well as a few provisions.

"Looking back, the project and its realisation was a step that allowed me to mature on a mental and technical level. There were several reasons for the attraction and motivation to attempt the long ridge alone and in winter. Among other things, the question of how far you can push your own personal limits and to what extent the logistics of transporting materials and rope technology work over several days under such circumstances," explains Simon Gietl.

Gietl's ascent on the first day lasted until 5 pm. He spent the night in a bivouac at the foot of the via ferrata between Furchetta and Sass Rigais. The next day, he continued his solo ascent and bivouacked for another night between Grande Fermeda and Piccola Fermeda. On the third day, after climbing a total of 12 peaks and crossing the Skyline, he descended to Seceda. Arriving at his destination at the Baita Pramulin hut in St.Christna, he was greeted by the only two people who knew about his project: his fellow mountain guides Andrea Oberbacher and Ivo Rabanser.

"The desire to find the answers to the questions was so great right up to the end that I couldn't resist this attractive pearl of the Winter Geisler solo crossing. The tour was arduous and exhausting, but nevertheless irresistibly attractive and entertaining. After three days of tension and full concentration, it was an overwhelming feeling to have actually made it. Thank you for this intense time, which I will never forget!" adds Gietl.

The stages of the Geisler crossing

Start Campill 1,620 m
Torre S. Zenòn 2,599 m
Sasso S. Zenòn 2,610 m
Sass da l'Ega 2,924 m
Odla di Valdussa 2,942 m
Furchetta 3,030 m
Sass Rigàis 3,025 m
Grande Odla 2,832 m
Camp. Di Fùnes 2,834 m
Grande Fermeda 2814
Piccola Fermeda 2640
Cima di Brògles 2,590 m
Seceda 2,518 m
End of Baita Pramulin hut St.Christna 1,590 m