© Adam Pustelnik
The Pou-brothers' Orbayu, a contender for the hardest multi pitch in the world, on the West face of Naranjo de Bulnes, Asturia, Spain, has been repeated by Nico Favresse and Adam Pustelnik.
First the route was done by Nicolas, who lead all pitches and the next day Adam did the same. They are both hesitant as far as the grade is concerned - their opinion will be made public in a few days.
The Naranjo de Bulnes, or Picu Urriellu in Asturia, is a limestone peak in the Macizo Central region of the, Picos de Europa. This 2529m peak is not the tallest of the range, but it is perhaps the most famous and it has a long tradition od more than 100 years, from the first ascent of the peak, via the north face back in 1904 to the Pou-brothers ascent via the Orbayu route on the West face on 4 September 2009.
Difficulty: 8c+/9a
Length: ~500m
Style: mixed (bolts and gear)
Number of pitches: 13 in total, but all the difficult climbing is in the first 6
The route combines 4 new pitches on the overhang of 'La Bermeja', 6 pitches of 'La Via Mediterráneo', and 3 pitches of 'La Rabada- Navarro'.
Pitch 1: 8a+, 38m, 6 bolts. A few moves on fragile holds to begin,
followed by a bouldery move, then continue to the chain.
Pitch 2: 8a, 25m, 3 bolts. Hard bouldery sequence to begin, a bit of
stamina then a bouldery finish.
Pitch 3: 8a, 25 m, 5 bolts. Five clips requiring some power endurance
through the perfect overhanging wall and a last hard, unprotected move
to the chain.
Pitch 4: 7a, 25m, 3 bolts. Hard bouldery sequence to start, keep it
together with the gear far below, another hard move and some technical
wall climbing up to the chain.
Pitch 5: 8c+/ 9a, 37m and 2 new bolts for the free variation. A first
section of around 7c+/8a of technical climbing, a bouldery sequence of
8A+/B (boulder), and a final section on monos and two finger pockets
at around 8b (sport). The first and last sections are protected by
copperheads, pitons and small wires sunken in by potential falls of up
to 20-25m.
Pitch 6: 8a+, 30 m. Protected by some very old and oxidised bolts. The
first hard section is protected by copperheads, continue on to another
bouldery sequence and then easy climbing.
Pitch 7: 6b+, 55m of technical wall protected by friends and pitons.
Pitch 8: 6a+, 40m of technical vertical wall protected by slings,
threads, pitons and friends.
Pitch 9: 5, 45m of delicate traverse almost without any gear.
Pitch 10: 5, 50m of corner/ chimney climbing protected by friends up
to Roca Solano.
Pitch 11: 5+ 60m linking the two pitches of la Rabada-Navarro. Friends
and pitons.
Pitch12: 5, 35m of the face of the Rabada. Friends and pitons.
Pitch13: 5, 45m of the final pitch on the face of the 'Rabada-
Navarro' to the top. Friends and pitons.
Unfortunately some really bad news has reached us. Adam has had a serious acident after the ascent of Orbayu. Helicopter rescue was necessary and he suffered serious injuries. How bad I don't know. More as soon as I know.
Source: Wspinanie
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