Iker Pou recently did the first ascent of the route “Nit de Bruixes” in Margalef, Spain. Nit de Bruixes is a 25 meter line bolted by Jordi Pou back in 2006 and due to its extreme difficulty was not climbed until Iker recently climbed it.
Almost all holds on the route are one and two-finger pockets – a climbing style very typical of Margalef. “Iker has amazing hands, his fingers are really strong and he’s very used to those kinds of places that need one or two fingers. Such routes are difficult, as the body hangs entirely on one finger,” says Eneko.
“Holding yourself with one finger is really uncomfortable. But Iker feels good there, he’s the number one,” adds Jordi Pou.
Iker breaks down the route in three parts. “One part is physically demanding and the grip is kind of good. It’s then followed by a section where you can firstly use two phalanges and then just one. Between the first two sections there’s no chance to rest and that tests your power endurance. Once the hardest part is over, you still have to go through a very overhanging flake, where you have to be fully focused.”
Referring to the difficulty of the route, Iker says “personally, I found it harder than its neighbour Demencia Senil (9a+), but as all routes are different, only time will tell.”
Credits:
Athlete: Iker Pou
Event: Iker Pou First Ascent of Nit de Bruixes
Discipline: Climbing Lead
Photocredit: (c) Alberto Lessmann/Red Bull Content Pool
Location: Margalef
Country: Spain