# Peru's First 9a: Team Climbers Redefine Altitude

> German climber Malik Schirawski and two friends establish Peru's first 9a route at 4,500m, sharing first ascents to honor friendship over individual glory.
- Title: Peru's First 9a: Team Climbers Redefine Altitude | Shortify
- Summary: German climber Malik Schirawski and two friends establish Peru's first 9a route at 4,500m, sharing first ascents to honor friendship over individual glory…
- Keywords: malik schirawski, arlo rogers, josh ibbetson, coco, cancion del cuy, peru, andean climbing, 9a route, team first ascent, altitude climbing, Peru's, First
- Source: Gripped Magazine — https://gripped.com/profiles/the-story-of-perus-first-5-14d-cancion-del-cuy
- Author: Dave Barnes
- Published: 2026-10-20T17:21:03+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: malik schirawski, arlo rogers, josh ibbetson, coco, cancion del cuy, peru, andean climbing, 9a route, team first ascent, altitude climbing
## Malik's Climbing Shift
Twenty one year old German climber Malik Schirawski began thinking about changing his climbing approach at eighteen.
## Peru Expedition Begins
Malik and two friends established a 5.14d sport route at approximately 4,500 metres in the Andes during a seven week expedition.
## The Idea Started
Malik and his friend Arlo Rogers found a striking arete in Peru on a gallery photo, sparking their trip to climb it.
## Team Formation
The team met Josh Ibbetson in Spain, then researched climbing opportunities online with WiFi and a global map.
## Funding and Gear
Petzl and Scarpa supported the trip, providing bolts and hardware while the climbers shared sponsorship and photography income.
## Local Welcome
Local legend Jorge Sirvas Milla, known as Coco, welcomed them with open arms and shared knowledge of the area.
## First Ascent Challenge
The team found a prominent rock shield with an obvious arete that needed immediate climbing action.
## Weather and Work
They experienced a snowstorm on their third day, hanging shivering while bolting three lines down a pillar.
## Route Creation
Malik bolted the middle line, which became Cancion de la Cuy, while Arlo took Cafe y Coco and Josh worked on the approach pitch.
## Altitude Effects
At 4,500 metres, the team found sustained power endurance efforts were particularly punishing due to low oxygen levels.
## Team First Ascents
The team agreed to claim team first ascents rather than individual ones to honor shared achievement and friendship.
## Climbing at Altitude
Malik completed a technical wall with a double gaston, which took him another session after initial attempts.
## Local Impact
Coco emphasized the importance of leaving routes that inspire future climbers in Peru and respecting local customs.
## Shared Success
The team created Peru's first 9a route at altitude, sharing the first ascent to prioritize friendship over individual glory.
## Climbing Legacy
Coco and Alex Megos praised the team's trip for inspiring future climbers and respecting local climbing culture.
## Team's Vision
The team left Peru with new routes and a shared understanding of what they achieved: 9a and altitude climbing.
## Key takeaway

Malik Schirawski and two friends created Peru's first 9a climbing route at 4,500m in the Andes, claiming team first ascents to prioritize shared achievement over individual recognition.