Katherine Choong Does 300-metre 5.14a

In 2024, Swiss climber Katherine Choong made the first female ascent of Zahir (5.14a, 300m) at Wenden. Established by Swiss climbers Iwan Wolf and Gunter Habersatter between 1996 and 2004, the 300m line was freed by the pair in 2006. Choong was supoorted by Eline Le Menestrel.

Choong and Le Menestrel started working the route in mid-August and then, after 8 days of effort, on 2 September the pair woke up early and started climbing at around 6:15 am. The first two pitches, a 6a followed by a 5.13, went smoothly but then Choong ground to a halt on 5.14a pitch. After 3 failed attempts she felt she had missed her chance, as fatigue set in, the sun had hit the face, the weather forecast for the next days looked bleak.

Somehow though she summoned up all strength and, after resting until 12:30 pm, managed to redpoint the crux pitch. The remaining 5 pitches are no walk-over and remain a physical and psychological test, but the 32-year-old kept it togther and summited at 6pm. At 9:50 pm they were safely back at the parking lot, "exhausted but with a big smile on our face."

Watch the trailer to the new film trailer that just dropped about the climb. The description reads: "When Katherine Choong invites her friend Eline Le Menestrel to climb "Zahir", a classic multi-pitch route in the Wendenstöcke and one of the country's most challenging, Eline agrees, but on one condition: they must travel using only eco-friendly means and try to send the route ecopoint style. As the days pass on the wall, they realize just how ambitious their project is. The 8 pitches up to 8b+, the long distance between bolts, the tiny holds, and the exhaustion from cycling push them to their limits. Fueled by determination and enthusiasm, will Eline and Katherine find their own Zahir?"

Zahir Film Trailer