Put On Your Glasses and Enjoy the First Spanish 3D Climbing Film

The 3D version of Iker Pou's most recent triumph, as the first to 'scend Nit de Bruixes in Margalef, has arrived. The younger of the Pou brothers completed the 25-metre route using only mono or two-finger holds for most of the line. Iker Pou's acheivement is a new milestone in the world of climbing, a real gem amongst extreme climbign routes. It is a route with a unique identity which has been documented in this 3D audiovisual production, making it another first as the first Spanish climbing video available in this dimension.

Iker has completed the first ascent of this fantastic, extreme line. In his own words:

Nit de Bruixes, is located in the La Ermita sector of Margalef (Tarragona, Spain). It was opened in 2006 by the untiring Jordi Pou- keeper of the mountain hut. Ever since, it has been awaiting its first ascent. I tried it for the first time towards the end of 2010. I realized then that it was a “five-star” line that I wanted to ‘scend.

I began immediately, practicing it in a sporadic way from December 2010 until February 2011. I was completely enchanted by the line. Some time in the middle of February, when I was very close to completing the route, a key slither of rock broke around the fourth bolt. that put an end to any hopes I had of ‘scending the route that season. After much work, and with the help of Jon Gurutz Lazkoz, we were able to fix the slither of rock, but I was unable to continue working on the route as we were embarking on other projects.

Towards the ends of December 2011, I returned to Margalef more motivated than ever. I got of to a disastrous start, however, with my tendons playing up  to the point where I was unable to hold my weight without fear of doing myself an injury in one of my fingers. Fortunately, my luck changed, and in a few weeks I felt back on form. So, when I least expected it, on a windy cold day which seemed anything but promising, I suddenly succeeded in making the first dreamed-of ascent of  Nit de Bruixes.

The route is about 25 metres long. The first section is an overhang and constitutes some very physical climbing which gives way to the second, more vertical section.

Almost all the holds, in the very best Margalef style, are one- or two-finger holds. The route could be divided into three parts. A first, very physical part, followed by a boulder section con one-finger holds which scarcely reach the first knuckle of the finger. There is no rest in these sections and the route turns into a battle to retain strength and stamina. The third section remains- a long slightly inclined slab section which leaves no room for error.

In terms of the grade- the unavoidable question- I believe it to be a difficult route, much harder than the many 9a-s I have tried and completed, but I am not absolutely certain what the grade would be. Those who repeat the route can give their opinions on the matter. Personally, I found it harder than its neighbour Demencia senile (9a+), but as all routes are different, only time will tell.

That said Nit the Bruixes is a real gem of extreme sports climbing; a route with its own identity.