Climbing in Ticino

Ticino’s profile in this collection is anchored by a modern bouldering portrait of Shawn Raboutou that centers on Chironico. In Alphane the film follows Raboutou through a season of bold first ascents and centers visually on the boulder Alphane in Chironico, a problem the film presents among the world’s hardest. The piece was produced by Mellow, presented by The North Face, and released free.

On film, Ticino’s climbing comes through as compression, tiny footholds and sequences that emphasize balance and body tension; the camera lingers on micro‑movement and impossible positions so the climbing itself narrates Raboutou’s quiet approach. The film ranges beyond a single problem to show a crew working multiple projects, so viewers see both solo attempts and team dynamics among some of the world’s strongest boulderers.

For anyone curious about what top‑level modern bouldering looks like on Swiss granite, Alphane offers a polished, patient document that lets technique and sequences speak for themselves rather than relying on commentary or spectacle.