Monte Garzo  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  1,500' Lat, Long:  46.193, 8.76 Map Page Views:  199. Good page?    Administrators:  Dan Flynn, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Colin Winter on Jul 25, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

In the lower, slabby section of Alhambra

Description 

A 600 meter climb does not sound like a casual affair, but at Monte Garzo it is. There are shorter routes as well, but most people come here to climb one of the longer (up to 18 pitch) routes.

The wall has two very different components - a long, moderate angle slab followed by a steep, structured headwall.

It is the same bomber gneiss found elsewhere in the region, but particularly in the terrain transitioning between slab and headwall there is vegetation and some loose stuff.

The area is west-facing, and accordingly gets sun from the late morning until later in the day (depending on season - in the shorter days of the year it gets a lot less sun, particularly the lower part).

Due to quality and length of routes, good protection and ease of access, it tends to be (very) popular.

Both the Plaisir süd and SAC Ticino guidebooks have comprehensive coverage of the routes here.

Getting There 

From the village of Ponte Brolla, follow the road a very short distance into the Maggia valley. Park on the side of the road near the large, red pedestrian bridge and head up a driveway undearneath the wall. Follow the well-tracked dirt road at the end of the driveway, breaking right after a few hundred meters on a well-tracked path for a scramble up to the base. The approach takes about 20 minutes.

The Classics

Featured Route For Monte Garzo

Alhambra 6b+ 5.10c/d  International : Europe : ... : Monte Garzo

Probably the most well-known route in the area, if not the entire region. It has a few tricky sequences, but for the most part it is the sheer length of the route that is taxing: 18 pitches, almost entirely at grades between 5c and 6b+. The lower section is comprised of moderate slab climbing, and barring any particular impediments can be climbed fairly quickly. The middle, transitioning section has the most difficult pitches (2x 6b+) with technical sequences, and the upper headwall demands s...[more]   Browse More Classics in International