Megos proposes 9b/+ for the first ascent of Tuareg Blanco

Alexander Megos starts the new year successfully: He succeeds in the first ascent of the route Tuareg Blanco and rates the line 9b/+.

The latest major rock climbing news about the German professional climber Alex Megos are a few months ago. In spring 2024, he quickly scored routes such as Change (9b +), Move (9b/+) and illusionist (9a), before moving on to the Summer Olympics in Paris concentrated.

Alexander Megos in Margalef in visibly low temperatures
Alexander Megos in Margalef in visibly low temperatures. (Picture Instagram)

Shortly before the turn of the year, it was time again. Megos went on a climbing trip to the Spanish Margalef and devoted himself to an old project, Tuareg Blanco, which was set up by Adrien Boulon around 10 years ago. The route did not attract a great deal of interest, but was re-established by the Spanish climber Ramon Julian seriously planned.

Alex Megos in Margalef_Sometimes the weather was good_Photographer Rainer Eder
When the sun shone, it was cozy in the Spanish sport climbing mecca Margalef. (Image Rainer Eder)

"The route was almost only attempted by Ramon Julian, which made the whole thing not very appealing," says Megos with a wink. Nevertheless, Megos focused on this route and invested quite a lot of time.

During his three-week stay, Megos spent a total of 11 days on the route. If you include the four days that Megos invested in the route a few years ago, it took 15 days to complete the climb.

Alex Megos succeeds in the first ascent of the route Touareg Bianco in Margalef_Image Rainer Eder
Alex Megos succeeds in the first ascent of the Tuareg Blanco route in Margalef. (Image Rainer Eder)

This number probably prompted Megos to choose the high level of difficulty that he set for Touareg Blanco suggests: 9b/+

I'm curious to hear what others think about the difficulty level.

Alex Megos

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Credits: Cover picture Rainer Eder

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