Alex Ventajas ticks Trip Tik Tonik (9a) in 2 days

Alex Ventajas, with some 20 routes 9a and beyond under his belt, has done Trip tik tonik (9a). ”So thrilled to send this super line in just 2 days of attempts! Thanks to Alessio and Claudia for all the betas that helped me achieve it so fast! Totally my style, tricky kneebars and after the blouder a nice endurance run till the anchor!”

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
I’d been curious about this sector for a few years already. I’d seen lots of videos of “Trip tik tonik” and it always looked so aesthetic. This week I was on holiday in Rodellar, but I felt the need to “change the air” a bit and visit a new place. It seemed like the perfect chance to start heading back toward Italy and make a stop here.

I knew I wanted to try this line, so I focused on it immediately! I only had three climbing days left, so I knew it was going to be a good challenge. Luckily, I met Claudia Ghisolfi and Alessio Voghera there, who had both recently sent the route, and they shared their betas with me. That definitely helped me cut down on the number of attempts!

The route really suits my style: the first part is quite technical, with some knee-bars, and the upper section after the boulder is a masterpiece of endurance. Already on my second go I fell at the crux, which gave me the chance to refine the boulder sequence and consolidate the upper part.

On the second day, I knew that if I could just get through the crux, I’d have a good shot at clipping the chains. I kept falling there, but each time a little bit higher, getting down after every fall to save energy.

I waited for the last light of the day to rest properly and give it one final go: this time I finally stuck the boulder and reached a small saving kneebar! Despite the fatigue of the long day, I suddenly felt full of energy and kept going, enjoying the long ride on the tufas all the way to the top!

I’m super happy to have sent the route in just two days and to have stayed motivated even when the boulder was shutting me down at first. I would have loved to try the original beta from before the key hold broke (it looked so unique!), but the new sequence is still cool!