Rock Climbing in Arco. Via Orrizonti Dolomitici (Piccolo Dain)

The highlight of my rock climbing trip to Arco was a climb up the Piccolo Dain which towers over the Sarca valley some kilometres north of Arco. Gavin chose the route ‘Orrizonti Dolomitici’ for us. This route was relatively new and even Gavin had not climbed it yet. The mighty wall is quite impressive and it was definitely the highest wall in my young rock climbing career. The route goes over 11 pitches, is well protected (bolts) and is rated IV, max V (UIIA).

It was quite a windy day in the morning and relatively cold albeit the sun was soon beginning to warm up the rocks. Soon I started sweating as Gavin had ordered me to carry all our stuff. As I was climbing most of the pitches at the safe end of the rope this division of labor seemed quite fair to me.

The rock was covered with quite a lot of sand and was somewhat loose which made both of us climbing carefully and evaluating all holds before trusting them.

Gavin gave me the honor to lead the last, relatively easy pitch. Arriving easy and safe ground after climbing 11 pitches was really a relief for me.

Topo of the route