Earlier this year, Alex Hubber made the first ascent of Mauerläufer on Elefantenbauch, a new six-pitch 5.14a, in Austria.

The route is the first on the seemingly blank was with pitches that break down to 5.11, 5.12, 5.12, 5.13 and 5.14a.

“It’s the first route on this wall and that for a reason,” said Huber, “it looks featureless with no weaknesses. I found the solution on the most prominent pillar. An amazing line!”

The route is named after a local bird, of which Huber said, “Its unmistakable way of flapping its wings and swaying in the sky makes it truly a wild inhabitant of the Alps. Its red and gray colour is as incredible as the climbing on this wall.”


In 1996, Huber established Open Air at Schleierwasserfalle, a route that many consider the first 5.15a. Huber also established Bellavista 5.14 and Pan-Aroma 5.14 at the Tre Cime, Samsara and Feuertaufe on the Grand Capucin, Wetterbock 5.14 and the incredible Nirwana for the first ascent of Latok II. On El Capitan, he freed Freerider 5.13, El Nino 5.13 and Golden Gate 5.13.