For most people, one big wall climb with the safety of ropes and a typical descent makes for a huge day out … But not for Austrian alpinist, Hansjörg Auer.

On August 8th, 2016, Hansjörg fulfilled a bold dream in Italy’s Dolomites, linking up three big wall free solo climbs with two paragliding flights in a matter of 12 hours. Over the course of the journey, he covered approximately 33km (20.5 miles) and a whopping 3,600 vertical meters (11,811 feet).

Below is a full account of his day:

  • 06:15 Start bivouac
  • 06:30 Start free solo of Vinatzer/Messner (800m, UIAA VI+)
  • 08:30 Summit Marmolada Punta Rocca
  • 08:45 Start flight #1
  • 09:15 Start hiking #1
  • 10:45 Start free solo of Abramkante (500m, UIAA VII-)
  • 12:00 End of route
  • 12:00 Start hiking #2 to Pisciadu Hut
  • 13:15 Start flight #2
  • 14:00 Start hiking #3
  • 17:15 Start Free Solo Große Mauer (300m / UIAA VII-)
  • 18:00 End of route
  • 18:15 Summit Sass dla Crusc

This week’s Friday Flick Pick leaps into a first-person view of some of the extreme moments of exposure during his massive and airy adventure.


Want more? Get our awesome climbing newsletter, delivered weekly.


Explore More

Related articles you'll love

Our 40+ most popular articles ever
Today’s Best Rock Climbing Gear Deals
200+ rock climbing videos
Climber Spotlight: An Interview with Free Soloist, Matt Bush
Essay: What a Long, Strangely Normalized Trip It’s Been—The Role of Counterculture in Climbing
Video: The Classic Alpinist — 82 Summits with Ueli Steck
Don’t Forget Your Humility — Lessons Learned on Denali
Notes from a First-Time Ice Climber
Essay: Why I Don’t Free Solo Climb
Climbing History: Free Soloist, John Bachar
Essay: How to Climb When You’re Not Alex Honnold
Video: Dani Arnold Free Solos Two Big Walls in Record Time
Get daily updates by Liking us on Facebook
Free rock climbing PDFs on technique, training, knots, and more