Julia Fiser ticks Tunnelblick (8c+)

Julia Fiser, who was #9 in the Innsbruck World Cup 2024, has done Tunnelblick (8c+) in Achleiten. ”🥹 Almost 5 years after my first try. So many things happened in between. Proud that I never gave up. Yesterday, everything just aligned and it felt effortless, leaving me wondering how it took me so long. But also, I wouldn't want it any other way. What a beautiful journey 🩷” (c) Tobias Lanzanasto

Can you tell us more about your beautiful journey?
Last autumn, I set myself the goal of finishing two old projects of mine which I both first tried in 2020: Wassermusik at Schleier Wasserfall and Tunnelblick in Achleiten. I was quite lucky on Wassermusik, because it tends to be wet all the time, but in November all the holds were more or less dry and I managed to finish it. I had a session or 2 on Tunnelblick before training started again in December. The moves felt good and especially the crux felt better than ever before. But I was clearly lacking the endurance to arrive at the crux without too much pump to actually be able to hold these small crimps. Last week I just finished an intense endurance training block and I knew soon it’s gonna be too warm in Achleiten, so I decided to have one more day on it before the first Lead Worldcups in Asia.

When I pulled off the ground last Tuesday, I felt a bit shaky in the first slabby part. I wasn't surprised about that, this was supposed to be my warmup try. But when the "real" climbing began, I've never felt more calm. My head was clear, no "what if's", just pure focus on the next move. The flow state that we all seek and admire. In the back of my mind, after I passed the first crux, I somehow already knew that I'll do it this time. Yet I stayed calm and let my body do the work. When I did the last crux, which threw me off so many times, without any problems this time, I wondered how it took me so long. Now I realise that it only felt so easy because it took me so long. I can now appreciate every single moment I spent on the route in the last 5 years. I understand that the journey that lead me to climb Tunnelblick truly turned me into a better climber. Not just physically, but mostly mentally.

I want to thank every person that spent time with me on the route and in Achleiten in general. Every single one of you shaped me in some way or another. Grateful for this community <3