description New Age Overview
New Age is a limestone multipitch route located in Buoux, France. It’s notable for being one of the first widely recognized 8a+ climbs, established in the late 1980s. The route, featuring challenging technical moves on the Ratikon formation, remains popular with experienced sport climbers seeking demanding multi-pitch ascents and a connection to climbing history.
help New Age FAQ
Is New Age actually located at Buoux?
The landmark New Age discussed in alpine climbing history is in the Rätikon mountains of Switzerland, not Buoux, France. Beat Kammerlander established it at the Schweizereck and completed the first free ascent around 1989.
How long and difficult is New Age?
New Age is commonly described as a five-pitch route about 150 meters long with a maximum grade of 8a+. Its pitches include easier climbing around a central 8a+ crux, but the entire route must be managed in an exposed alpine setting.
Why was New Age a milestone in multipitch climbing?
When Beat Kammerlander freed New Age in the late 1980s, 8a+ was an exceptional grade for a multipitch alpine route. It helped establish the Rätikon as a proving ground for technically difficult limestone routes with serious spacing between protection.
How does New Age differ from a hard single-pitch route at Buoux?
New Age combines high technical difficulty with route finding, exposure, belays, and multiple pitches. A climber must therefore manage alpine risk and sustained execution, not merely complete one protected sport-climbing sequence.
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