The Italian alpine guide, 48 year old Maurizio "Manolo" Zanolla, who has already climbed several 9a's including, Only For Old Warriors (7c, 7b+, 8b, 8c/9a) at Vette Feltrine (Italy) and Bain de Sang 9a at Saint Loup (Switzerland), has climbed another.

8a.nu reports:

"Maurizio "Manolo" Zanolla is getting close to 50, but still manages to keep the powder dry. Yesterday morning he climbed Francois Nicole's Bimbaluna, 9a or possibly 9a+, at St Loup, Switzerland. He tried the route one year ago, for a few days, then he came back before Christmas for three days, once falling at the last move, with a temperature of -2 degree. On Sunday (20th January) he sent it at the second try "

The hardest sport routes in the world are 9a+/b.

Manolo is sponsored by La Sportiva