Greg Boswell winter hits in Italy's Dolomites
- Thursday 28th December 2023
Greg Boswell has a productive winter visit to the Dolomites in Italy climbing existing classics and a probably first ascent.
Climbing with Jonathan Joly, Greg explored the technical mixed climbs in the Velunga Valley in the Italian Dolomites during a short whistle-stop trip just before Christmas. Their first route was Flauto Magico a M9 WI6 mixed route. Originally climbed by Hanns Lehmayr in 2004, the four-pitch classic whetted Boswell’s appetite describing it as “fun all the way, if not a little wet!”
For their second day of the short trip, Boswell and Joly climbed the well-established classic, Once in a Lifetime; a Daniel Ladurner, Hannes Lemayer and Florian Riegler addition from 2018. Once in a Lifetime clearly made an impression on Boswell; writing about his ascent online he said, “Think I’m falling in love with this place. Everywhere I look I see cool-looking lines and even better-looking views.”
Crucially, whilst climbing Once in a Lifetime, Boswell and Joly spotted a number of possible new routes; never slow to take up the challenge of something new, they returned the following day and added what they believed was a new route. Comprising three pitches, their mixed route threads its way through rock roofs on ice daggers. Protecting their route with trad gear throughout, Boswell and Joly climbed the route onsight; as yet, however, they haven’t offered either a name or a grade for the route.
Finally, the pair switched it up for their last day and climbed Jumbo Jet, an ice-only route.
Reflecting on the four-day trip whilst flying back home to Scotland Greg commented, “I’m sat in the airport in Milan and I’m already missing the beautiful Italian Mountains! What a mega trip!” The recent storms sweeping across Scotland mean that Boswell will inevitably be sharpening his axes ahead of new adventures.