Hotel Supramonte

by Nina Caprez

My first visit to this unbelievable multipitch tour was in April as my partner Cédric Lachat and I drove spontaneously to Sardegna, Italy, to climb this famous route. Hotel Supramonte has been the most difficult route in Italy for many years. The high rated difficult grades (7b+, 7c, 8b, 8a+, 8a+/8b, 7c, 7a, 7b+, 7b+, 7b+, 6b) and ongoing hard pitches makes this route to an absolute test peace.

On the first day, Cédric tried an on-sight and unfortunately fell in the last 8b pitch. I first had the chance to climb the route top rope to get a feeling of what was to come. On the second day I then checked out all 11 pitches. After a day of rest I planned to give it a go. Unfortunately it started raining on our resting day and it kept pouring down for several days and we had to leave Hotel Supramonte undone.

I was so stoked about this route that I convinced Cédric trhee weeks later to drive back to Sardegna to give it another try. We planned enough time for this stay. Cedric tried it on the first day and had the fight of his life. Two days before he was still competing at the Boulder World Cup where he came in 4th place. His arms where still pretty pumped and he had to give his eye teeth. I followed him to get used to the route again.

After two days of rest I gave it another try on lead and I finally made it!

I had perfect conditions on my attempt (even climbing with glasses as I lost my contact lenses the day before) and it felt so great. I had a small bumbler at the end of the 4th pitch which meant to take down the rope and start at the 4th pitch again. The hardest part was the last 7b+. I was so out of power but that's the way it is with multi pitch routes. The top is way above you.

This was such an exciting experience for me. Even though, on my first trip to Sardegna I never thought that I would be able to make it. But somehow I managed it to get it done as I really wanted this route to list on my resume and just enjoyed climbing it.

Hotel Supramonte - a must for every sports climber who likes to have some air under their butt.

... Nina