Michaela Kiersch ticks Dolby Surround (9a+)

Michaela Kiersch, with over 20 routes 8c+ to 9a+ under her belt, has completed Dolby Surround (9a+) in Zillertal. It took her 20 sessions to unlock the new crux sequence ending with a jump which has been estimated to an 8B+ boulder. The nearby waterfall inspired first ascensionist Kilian Fischhuber to the name of the climb.
Can you tell us more about the ascent and the process behind?
This route was bolted in 1998 and in the last 30 years has seen ~ less than 10 ascents with Kilian Fischhuber completing the FA in 2008. The route was graded 8c+/9a until recently, when a crucial hold broke adding an even harder sequence immediately following the old crux. After chatting with some others who have tried the route and mostly leaning on my own experience, 9a+/5.15a feels appropriate. But time will tell and hopefully we see a few more ascents in the next decade haha (Will Bosi you’re next!!)

Dolby Surround is one of the most beautiful routes I’ve ever tried. Striped granite/gneiss at a 45 degree overhang with the Zillertal Alps in the background.

Two months + 1 day and 20 sessions until I found myself clipping the chains!! Longest project yet which was an experience in itself. I’m really proud of my perseverance and that I kept “punching the clock.”