Pou brothers open a potential 9a+ Big Wall

Iker and Eneku Pou have opened the mixed 600 m tall Truene, where the crux pitch is speculated to be 9a+, summiting Peña Santa de Castilla (2.596m). Here is a short video. Four years ago, they completed the first ascent of Rayu 8c (b+) on the same wall. Iker has been making headlines since 2000, when he climbed Action Directe 9a. Over his career, the 47-year-old has conquered more than 30 routes graded between 9a and 9b(+), with his most prolific period starting in 2015. Taking into account his impressive multi-pitch achievements, the Spaniard ranks among the world's top multi-discipline climbers.

“The first part is about five pitches (around 300m), with difficulties no higher than 7b+/c, but it’s going to require max effort due to the sparse fixed protection and the potential for some sketchy falls. The second part is seven pitches (also around 300m), but this is the hardest and most overhanging section—so much so that there were moments where we were terrified, balancing in the void! This part was a real struggle, and it's where you’ll hit the crux at 9th grade. You’ll rely on floating gear and trad protection with the odd bolt here and there.

We had marathon sessions, climbing for over 15 hours straight... we were exhausted, but so happy. We gave it our all, and when you put in 100%, it leaves you with a great feeling. One of the most beautiful parts was bivvying halfway up the wall, watching the incredible sunrises and sunsets, and being under a blanket of stars at night. Now, we just need to come back stronger and with more time for a proper redpoint attempt.”

When you say opened, do you mean you aided or hang-dogged some parts?
We open the multi pitch like always we did, from the ground up, climbing in free and putting bolts when we can’t put cams ( friends , stoppers…). For put the bolts we stopped in hooks. We redpoint all the pitches except the hardest one, pitch number (10) that can be around 9a+. It is an sustained 8c, with a super tough boulder problem at the end and no rests. It’s got some big falls and is 450 meters off the ground. We did all the moves of the pitch but we couldn’t redpoint it!! We need to come back.

How many bolts did you add in total?
Some pitches have no bolts but most have 2 or 3 bolts. The hardest pitch have 10 bolts in 40m.