Lara Neumeier climbs iconic multi-pitch route Silbergeier (F8b+) in Rätikon, Switzerland
- Wednesday 18th June 2025
German climber Lara Neumeier has successfully climbed Silbergeier (6 pitches, 240m, F8b+), one of the most iconic and demanding multi-pitch routes in the Alps, completing her ascent on June 10th, after just 3.5 days of projecting and one final sending day.
Located on the Kirchlispitze in the Rätikon range of Switzerland, Silbergeier was first climbed by Beat Kammerlander in the early 1990s and has since earned legendary status for its technical difficulty, commitment, and striking position high above the valley. The route features six sustained pitches: F8b, F7c+, F8a+, F7a+, F8b+, and F7c+/8a, demanding both physical power and mental precision.
Neumeier joins an elite list of climbers who have completed the route and follows in the footsteps of her Arc’teryx team-mate Nina Caprez, who made the first female ascent. Lara’s ascent underscores a growing legacy of strong female climbers taking on the world’s most difficult traditional and Alpine lines.
Lara commented: “I first tried Silbergeier in early May. Over 3.5 days, I slowly worked my way through the route, figuring out sequences, getting used to the technical & slabby style, and dealing with thin, painful skin. I managed to link the first four pitches but never sent the crux and barely looked at the final pitch. Then came three weeks of bad & unstable weather. I used the time to rest, grow some skin, and get ready – mentally and physically – for a possible send.
When I finally went back, I thought: maybe. But the day before, everything pointed in the opposite direction. I had just gotten my period, received a painful car repair bill, and got a call from friends who’d just broken a key hold in the crux pitch. Then, just a few kilometres before the parking, my car broke down again. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d even make it to the wall. But somehow, I did. The day started slow. I felt tired, not quite there. The first pitch felt hard – full-on pump – but I got through. And then, something shifted. I started moving with focus and precision. When I reached the crux pitch, I reworked the sequence – and even though a crucial hold broke on the day before my beta still worked. I waited for shade. Took a deep breath. And sent.
One last pitch remained. Tricky and bouldery moves. I took some time to figure it out, gave it everything I had, and topped out!! Silbergeier – what a route. Sharp, technical, and absolutely beautiful. Some days remind you it’s not about perfect conditions or perfect timing – it’s about showing up anyway, and giving it everything you've got.”
Known for her dedication to adventurous climbing, Neumeier’s achievement adds to her growing reputation as one of Europe’s leading female climbers. Neumeier’s ascent of Silbergeier also marks the first step in an even bigger goal: completing the Alpine Trilogy – three of the most difficult multi-pitch climbs in the Alps, all graded up to F8b+ and known for their boldness, beauty, and historical significance. Next up: End of Silence, in Berchtesgaden, Germany and Des Kaisers neue Kleider in Wilden Kaiser, Austria.