ICE CLIMBING IN
WILD-GRISÈNCHE
WILD-GRISÈNCHE
Featuring BOA® Athlete Franz Cazzanelli
Deep in the wild terrain of Valgrisenche, Franz Cazzanelli takes on Wild-Grisènche, a 150-meter ice line that stands out as one of the valley’s winter jewels. With four pitches of sustained WI4–5 ice (vertical ice wall), towering pillars, and exposed walls, it’s a classic test of precision and control in the Aosta Valley.
Franz is one of Italy’s leading alpinists, born and raised just a few valleys away. Growing up surrounded by the ice and granite of the region shaped his fast, technical style and gave him a deep instinct for the mountains he calls home.
“I have to be fully Dialed—completely present, tuned in to the rock, the ice, and my own body. In that state, every move feels automatic yet deliberate, and my mind stays calm even when the pressure rises. That’s when instinct takes over.”
On a route that constantly changes with temperature, texture, and ice quality, this mindset becomes the anchor that allows him to move with confidence. Mixed terrain adds even more complexity, where delicate hooks, brittle sections, and constant body tension define every move. Franz highlights how technique—and everything from the right ice pick to his trusted BOA®-powered La Sportiva G-Tech—shapes the outcome on these sequences: ‘Mixed climbing combines rock, ice, and snow, often all within the same pitch. This type of climbing requires extensive experience and strong versatility.”
Remaining calm on steep, exposed ice is another crucial part of his craft. High-consequence climbing requires presence, controlled breathing, and the ability to reset above every screw and placement: “Calmness comes with experience and preparation. During the ascent I focus on every movement, breathing slowly and in a controlled way.”
Wild-Grisènche also delivers its own challenges — from vertical pillars to transitions into mixed ground and shifting conditions that demand fast adaptation. Franz reflects on this: “The most delicate moment, as always, was the transition between rock and ice. For me, it remains the most beautiful and adrenaline-filled moment of this sport.”
And despite the effort, the climb gives something back: silence, isolation, and the satisfaction of tracing a classic winter line in his home mountains. “Reaching the top of the route after managing every difficult section brings immense satisfaction. Breathing, enjoying the view, and feeling a total connection with nature give you an incredible sense of fulfilment.”
Franz's Boot: La Sportiva G-Tech
On climbs like this, the boots become a key performance factor. Franz uses the La Sportiva G-Tech with the BOA® Fit System, which delivers a micro-adjustable, superior fit that stays consistent in cold, technical movement. The BOA® Fit System allows him to micro-adjust the fit with an unmatched precision — even with gloves — giving him the perfect fit required when climbing ice.
