Hilti Nuron tools fix climbing challenge
27 October 2022
Not having a head for heights, I certainly wouldn’t want to participate, but Red Bull’s 2022 Dual Ascent challenge has been supported by Hilti, with the manufacturer providing the anchors and tools necessary to create a demanding dam-climbing route for some of the world’s bravest adventurists.
Taking place at the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland from October 26 to 29, the ascent is designed as a man-made solution to outdoor climbing competitions, which can be difficult to organise due to real-world conditions and variables with the route, logistics and impact on the environment.
The dam, pictured below, stands at 220m high and the installed route allows competitors to climb to heights of 180m, which is approximately three times higher than standard climbing walls at indoor gyms.
The organisers say the event will be the first-ever head-to-head, multi-pitch climbing competition on identical, artificial routes. Sixteen of the world’s top climbers have been invited to participate, competing in teams of two, over the three days.
Various tools from Hilti’s recently launched Nuron range have been used to install the climbing route, including the SF 6-22 cordless drill driver, TE 6-22 cordless rotary hammer, B 22-170 battery and TE-CX (SDS Plus) hammer drill bit.
Other items used included more than 5,000 chemical anchors to keep handholds, footholds and other fixtures in place.
A lot is said about the versatility of cordless tools and the ability they give to undertake tasks in remote locations, but few workplaces can be as challenging as this.
