How far would you go to chase a line in the sky? For Micha Rinn and Christian Bickel, the answer led them to an uncharted traverse across the iconic peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, culminating in the first-ever ascent of the Skyline Traverse.
It all started years ago, with a dream born in front of the Locatelli hut. Gazing upon the majestic north faces of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, German climber Micha Rinn was captivated by a tantalizing, uncharted line that danced across the skyline from peak to peak. The idea of one day traversing all nine peaks from the western Forcella Col di Mezzo to the eastern Forcella Lavaredo became an obsession—a challenge too great to resist.
Historically, two primary traverses had been conquered: the small east-west traverse covering Cima Piccolissima, Punta Frida, and Cima Piccola, and the more extensive west-east traverse that included Cima Ovest, Cima Grande, Cima Piccola, Punta Frida, and Cima Piccolissima. Both routes had been climbed in various conditions, from the warmth of summer to the harsh cold of winter. Yet, one traverse had never been attempted: the elusive Skyline Traverse, spanning the entire skyline visible from pass to pass.
The idea of the Skyline Traverse remained just that—an idea—until a year ago. While climbing the Dülfer/Harrer route on Cima Ovest, Rinn and his climbing partner Christian Bickel sought a climbable connection between Torre Comici and Cima Ovest. Their exploration led them to a deeply incised gorge, the only feasible link between the peaks. However, worsening weather conditions forced them to abandon their plan, leaving the traverse unfinished.
Undeterred, the duo returned in mid-July 2024, determined to complete what they had started. Their first task was to set up a new rappel line down from Torre Comici into the gorge, establishing the missing connection to Cima Ovest. They also improved existing abseil stations at Punta Frida, enhancing safety for the descent into the gorge leading to Cima Piccolissima. With these preparations in place, they were finally ready to tackle the full traverse.
On the morning of July 23rd, at around 4:00 AM, Rinn and Bickel set off from Forcella Col di Mezzo. The first two peaks were conquered swiftly, their momentum growing with each summit. But as with any great adventure, challenges arose. A rockfall after the fourth summit on Torre Comici broke one of their ropes, forcing them to adapt. Then, as they reached Cima Ovest, heavy rain descended upon them, compelling the climbers to bivouac early in the shelter of a cavern. Despite these setbacks, the duo pressed on the next morning, determined to see their vision through.
By July 24th, they had completed the first-ever ascent of the Skyline Traverse, linking all nine peaks along the northern skyline of Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The route is more than just a physical challenge—it is a journey through the rich history of climbing on these legendary peaks.
For Rinn and Bickel, this traverse is a testament to persistence, preparation, and the unyielding pursuit of a dream. The Skyline Traverse, once a distant line in the sky, is now a reality, forever etched in the annals of climbing history.
