Alpine milestone on the Schwarze Wand: Dörte Pietron opens and redpoints "Dreamworks Inc."
(8c, 250 m, 8 pitches) 

Mountain guide, alpinist and Red Chili shoe developer Dörte Pietron has redpointed "Dreamworks Inc." — an 8c multi-pitch route on the notoriously steep Schwarze Wand in the Höllental. The line runs through the right-hand and steepest section of the north face below the Zugspitze. After equipping the route together with her partner Daniel Gebel in 2024, Dörte succeeded in the first free ascent on 15–16 August 2026. A week later, she linked two of the crux pitches and finally proposed a grade of 8c for the new route. At 250 metres and eight to nine pitches, "Dreamworks Inc." is believed to be the most difficult multi-pitch route ever established and first ascended by a woman.

The ascent also marks Dörte's first appearance as a shoe developer at Red Chili: since 2024, she has been responsible for developing a completely new high-end shoe range for the brand. She climbed "Dreamworks Inc." in two of her own prototypes. Her first model will be launched in spring 2027. 

Via the link below you will find: 

  • The full press release with route details, quotes and background 
  • An in-depth interview with Dörte Pietron on the project, the ascent, and her work as a shoe developer 
  • Pictures and Topo 

We would love to see "Dreamworks Inc." and Dörte's story featured in your outlet. Translations of both texts into other languages are available on request. Dörte and her partner Daniel Gebel are also happy to write personal project statements.

 Download press release and photos 

Press contact RED CHILI
Orlando Zaddach
[email protected]
+49 7562 981 219