Mount Api, Conquering Peña Santa and Legend Ralf Dujmovits
Welcome to the Forty-ninth edition of Climblife, our bi-monthly newsletter where Namah brings you a curated collection of climbing facts & history, the latest news, the latest products, and the climber of the edition.
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Climbing Facts & History
Api Mountain: A Remote Giant of the Western Himalayas
Not every Himalayan giant draws a crowd. Some remain tucked away in remote valleys, far from the familiar mountaineering circuits. Mount Api is one of them.
Rising to 7,132 metres in Nepal's remote Darchula District, Api is the highest peak in the Gurans Himal range. Its relative isolation is part of its appeal, but it is the mountain's southern face that truly commands attention.
Rising approximately 3,300 metres above its base, this imposing face brings together steep rock, snow and ice in a formidable display of Himalayan terrain. It is the kind of mountain where route conditions, technical judgement and preparation matter at every stage.
A brief history of firsts
Api's mountaineering history dates back to 10 May 1960, when Japanese climbers K. Hirabayashi and Gyaltsen Norbu completed its first recorded ascent via the northwest face. In 1983, Polish climbers achieved the mountain's first winter ascent, adding another milestone to its climbing history.
What does a mountain like Api demand?
At elevations and on terrain like these, equipment is never an afterthought. Rope selection, handling characteristics, durability, and dependable performance all contribute to the wider safety system of an expedition.
For technical climbing applications, Namah's LYNX 9.5 mm dynamic rope brings together handling, comfort, and durability in a versatile design.
Because on a mountain like Api, preparation begins long before the summit is in sight.
In The News
Pou Brothers Complete Peña Santa Trilogy with New Route 'Relampagu'
Spanish climbers Iker and Eneko Pou have completed a six-year project on Peña Santa de Castilla in Spain’s Picos de Europa with the opening of Relampagu, a 600-metre multi-pitch route.
The brothers have completed a six-year project on this iconic limestone wall with the establishment of Relampagu, a demanding 600-metre multi-pitch route estimated at 8c.
The new line completes a trilogy that began with Rayu (8c) in 2020, established alongside Kiko Cerdá, and continued with Truenu (9a+?) in 2024. Three routes, each adding another chapter to a long-term exploration of the same formidable wall.
Where the wall gets serious
Relampagu begins with approximately 300 metres of comparatively easier climbing before reaching its defining challenge: an overhanging upper wall extending for around 150 metres.
Here, the climbing becomes considerably more demanding. Holds are tiny and scarce, and two consecutive pitches reach grades in the eighth degree, requiring precision, strength and sustained concentration.
The final chapter is still unwritten.
Although Relampagu has been established, the Pou brothers intend to return and climb every pitch free before confirming its final grade. The route is open, but the challenge of completing it on their own terms remains.
Together, Rayu, Truenu and Relampagu represent an extraordinary six-year achievement on one of the Picos de Europa's most recognisable walls.
Three routes. One mountain. And a project that continues to push the limits of multi-pitch climbing.
Product Spotlight
Lynx 9.8 mm: Built for Everyday Climbing
Not every climbing rope needs to be designed for the most specialised ascent. Sometimes, reliability, durability and ease of handling matter just as much.
The Lynx 9.8 mm Dynamic Rope by Namah Ropes is designed as an all-purpose climbing rope, suited to frequent use across climbing environments. Its 9.8 mm diameter offers a practical balance for climbers looking for a dependable single rope.
Built with KoreLoc technology, it meets EN 892:2012 and UIAA 101 standards. Climbers can also choose between standard/semi-dry and AquaBloc® dry-treated versions, depending on their requirements and climbing conditions.
Available in multiple lengths and colour options, the Lynx 9.8 mm brings together durability, versatility and dependable handling for regular climbing use.
Ralf Dujmovits: A Life Among the World's Highest Peaks
Ralf Dujmovits is a German mountaineer and mountain guide, widely recognised as the first German to summit all 14 of the world's eight-thousanders. Born in Bühl, Germany, in 1961, his journey into mountaineering began with a year of travelling and climbing in the Andes before he chose professional mountain guiding over medical studies.
His achievements include ascents of Everest, K2, Nanga Parbat and Annapurna. In May 2009, he completed his collection of all 14 eight-thousanders by reaching the summit of Lhotse, becoming the 16th person worldwide to achieve this milestone.
Beyond high-altitude climbing, Dujmovits has completed the Seven Summits challenge and climbed extensively across the Alps, Antarctica and other mountain ranges. He also founded AMICAL alpin, an expedition and trekking company, bringing decades of experience to guided mountaineering.
Ralf Dujmovits' career is a reminder that mountaineering is not simply about how high one climbs, but also about the knowledge, judgement and responsibility developed along the way.
Watch his video
Industry insights
Club Alpin Belge: A Mountain Community Since 1883
Founded in 1883, the Club Alpin Belge (CAB) has played an important role in promoting climbing, mountaineering and hiking in Belgium and beyond. Today, the federation brings together a community of outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities for everyone, from beginners discovering climbing to experienced mountaineers pursuing demanding objectives.
Beyond organising outdoor activities, the club places strong emphasis on training, safety and developing independent mountain skills. Its programmes cover indoor and outdoor climbing, multi-pitch routes, traditional climbing, via ferrata, ski touring and more.
The federation also supports the management and preservation of natural climbing areas, encouraging responsible access and respect for the environment.
With a history spanning more than 140 years, Club Alpin Belge continues to connect people through a shared passion for the mountains, combining sporting progress, outdoor exploration and a strong sense of community.
The summit is just the beginning with Namah - ClimbLife.
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Happy Climbing!