On Belay

Posted on: May 9, 2016


Ralf Lendt traverses the sixth pitch of the Grande Muro (5.10d, 500m, Frisch-Messner, 1969), on the Sasso della Croce (2825m), one of Reinhold Messner's many Dolomites routes. [Photo] Ralf Gantzhorn

A Messner Pilgrimage: Dolomites, Italy

THIS CLIMB IS LIKE NIGHTFALL in these parts: at first, it creeps up on you almost imperceptibly; and then, with hardly a transition, it hits you with full force. The narrow, deep valleys of the Dolomites cut off sunsets quickly.

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