Filip Schenk achieves rare 9a flash of Vivi si muore in Italy

South Tyrolean climber Filip Schenk has achieved a rare 9a (5.14d) flash of the route ‘Vivi si muore’ at La Stazione in Piedmont, Italy. The 26-year-old completed the ascent on September 18, 2026, in approximately 15 minutes.

The route, a natural line, features three difficult boulder-style sections. Schenk noted that while the opening was intense, the most challenging aspect was a ‘lottery-like’ final sequence involving a blind move to a hidden hold. He credited his competition background for helping him manage the mental tension required to execute the climb on a single attempt.

Schenk is one of the few climbers globally to achieve a 9a flash and only the second Italian to do so. The route was originally established by Lorenzo Bogliacino in April 2025.