The weather sabotaged him for five whole weeks, but at the end Pirmin Bertle had his chance. As his last day on Kalymnos dawned, so did the perfect conditions…et voilà! The 25 year-old Bavarian climber seized the opportunity to send not one, but two 8c+ routes on that day: Gora Guta Gutarak (Odyssey) and Inshallah (North Cape). Not a small feat! In fact, in a disarming burst of spontaneity after climbing Inshallah, he reports that ‘unable to stop myself from crying and cheering I messed up my vocal cords. But never mind, there are not too many climbing days like this in life’. Full story here.

For the record, Inshallah was first redpointed by Nicolas Favresse in 2007, then by Adam Ondra in 2009 on his second attempt; Gora Guta Gutarak was, again, first redpointed by Nicolas Favresse in 2007, then by Steve McClure, and it was onsighted –placing the draws—by Adam Ondra in 2009.

For more on Pirmin Bertle, a very interesting person from the sound of it, read his interview here or visit hispersonal blog here (in German).

Congratulations Pirmin! We hope the weather is on your side the next time you come to Kalymnos :)