Climbing 'Bardonecchia 1985' (UIAA 9-) is an endeavor into one of sport climbing's legendary routes. However, it's crucial to clarify that 'Bardonecchia 1985' is *not* located in the Nockberge mountains of Austria. This iconic test piece is actually found on the Rocher d'Oliva, near Bardonecchia in the Italian Piedmontese Alps.
First ascended by the legendary Maurizio 'Manolo' Zanolla in 1986 (though often associated with the year 1985), 'Bardonecchia 1985' was a groundbreaking achievement. Graded UIAA 9- (or more accurately, 8c French, pushing into the UIAA X/X+ range), it represented the absolute cutting edge of sport climbing at the time, making it one of the world's first routes of this extreme difficulty.
The route is characterized by highly technical, sustained moves on steep, overhanging limestone, demanding incredible finger strength, precision, and endurance. Its historical significance lies in its role as a benchmark for extreme sport climbing, paving the way for future generations to push the limits even further.
Conquering 'Bardonecchia 1985' means stepping into a piece of climbing history, a true benchmark of difficulty and a testament to the vision of its first ascentionist.