Jernej Kruder secures the second ascent of La Bruja (9a) in La Pedriza. Ignacio Mulero's test piece is an exciting mix of sport climbing route and trad line.
The witch (9a), that is 25 meters of climbing in the overhang, 70 moves and an offwidth at the end. Ignacio Mulero's line had it Jernej Kruder already impressed on his first Pedriza trip at the beginning of the year. It's just that the climb through didn't work out in January.
The individual trains weren't a big problem for me. But doing all 70 in one go, laying your own belays and getting out through the offwidth was a bit nerve-wracking.
Jernej Kruder
April weather at its best
When the Slovenian returned to La Pedriza in the spring, he paid full attention to the hybrid line La Bruja (9a). In April, however, the weather was the big challenge, says Kruder: “Rain, heat, hail, sun, snow and Sahara dust – there was a bit of everything in these three weeks.” There might have been perfect conditions for just two days.
The days passed and in the end I had to face the truth: the last five days promised to be incredibly hot and so I had to do it in the evening.
Jernej Kruder
Full commitment
On April 13th, Jernej Kruder started his attempt to climb through at 7 o'clock in the evening. “My hands were cold enough to get through the crux and my mindset was also right.”
I struggled with many factors, but the great will within me defeated them!
Jernej Kruder
I almost cried upstairs and not just because of my burning forearms.
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Credits: Cover picture Jernej Kruder