From an early stage, Ballard began creating new rock climbing, mixed climbing and alpine routes in the Alps, the Dolomites, and in the Himalayas. He climbed a new rock route on the Eiger in 2009, naming it Seven Pillars of Wisdom and completed the first solo climb of the Eiger winter route Piola-Sprungli in 2010. This was followed in 2013 by a first free ascent in winter of Olimpia - going for gold on Catinaccio in the Dolomites, and a new route on the Agassizhorn in the Bernese Oberland that he named If Gengis can, we can!.