Brette Harrington masters Mezzogiorno di Fuoco, demanding multipitch in Sardinia, Italy

America's Brette Harrington has completed a rare free ascent of Mezzogiorno di Fuoco, a taxing multipitch located on one of Sardinia's most famous cliffs, Punta Giradili. The route breaches technical difficulties up to 8b max, 7c obligatory and in some sections is runout and exposed, and was established in 2006 and 2007 by Rolando Larcher, Roberto Vigiani and Maurizio Oviglia in their hallmark ground-up style.

Harrington, who last September with Sasha DiGiulian and Matilda Söderlund formed part of the trio that made the first repeat of Rayu in the Picos de Europa in Spain, travelled to Italy a few days ago with Elliott Bernhagen and started working the route ground-up. She fixed 200m of static rope to work the 8b and 8a+ before going for the send push. This was carried out on 1 January and contained "the most hard pitches I’ve climbed in a day."

Despite being less famous than some of their other creations, notably nearby Hotel Supramonte, Mezzogiorno di Fuoco is considered a real gem of Sardinian multi-pitches, characterised by splendid climbing mixed with long run-outs and hard obligatory sections that should not be underestimated.

Sardinia, Punta Giradili
Mezzogiorno di fuoco
First ascent: R. Larcher, M. Oviglia and R. Vigiani in June 2006.
First free ascent: May 2007, R. Larcher led all pitches.
Length: 270m
Grade: 8b max, 7c obligatory
Gear: The route is bolted. Take kevlar slings for the threads.

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