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CLIMBING IN SICILY
Whether you climb 5.4 or 5.14, the crags of San Vito Lo Capo have you covered. With everything from caves and tufas to pockets, steeps and slabs, and even moderate multi-pitch adventures, Sicily has it all.
The crags around San Vito are stacked with routes from 5.7 to 5.13 in a variety of styles, and if you feel comfortable climbing 5.9-5.10 in the gym, Sicily is going to be perfect for you. Unlike the cracks of Yosemite or the tiny holds of Smith Rock, limestone tends to be a little - well, either more fun, more straightforward, or both.
Many of the crags are recently developed too, meaning new bolts, no slippery polished holds, and tons to explore, all with magnificent backdrops and short approaches.
Each day we’ll head out in small groups of up to five climbers, and we’ll make sure you’re paired with climbers and climbs that match your ability so you don’t have to worry about being held back or pushed too far.
Like all of our sport climbing vacations, this trip is perfect for climbers of any skill level, and is a great opportunity to learn new skills, push your limits, work on your lead game, or just enjoy the ride.
FOOD & ACCOMMODATIONS
Even within the rich tradition of Italian food, Sicilian cuisine in particular holds a special place. With fresh produce, seafood, olive oil, wine and pasta in abundance, we promise you will not go hungry (or thirsty, for that matter).
We like to try hard at the crag, but we also like to relax and we really love to eat, so we’ve hand-picked our favorite restaurants, bakeries and snacks to give you a taste of it all.
We’ve also selected our favorite hotel in San Vito. We have booked all of the rooms at Hotel Artemide, only moments from the beach. We know you’re going to love it there just as much as we do. No big deal or anything, but our hotel in San Vito has a roof top pool.
The Schedule
Day 1: Benvenuti in Sicilia!
You get yourself to the Falcone Borsellino Airport in Palermo and we’ll arrange your transport to Hotel Artemide in San Vito Lo Capo, our home for the week. You’ll be on your own for the evening to explore the beautiful beach side town, where your only job will be to find something tasty for dinner and to try to get some sleep.
Day 2: Climbing Day #1
We’ll start the day right with some proper Italian coffees, a breakfast buffet, and packing a lunch full of fresh goodies before we head out in small groups for the day to climb. Most of our favorite cliffs are less than a half hour’s drive from town, and we’ll spend the day on the rock before getting back to town for a little downtime before we head out to dinner for our first taste of some of the dishes that make the region famous.
Day 3: Climbing Day #2
We’ll repeat our routine with breakfast and treats from the bakery before heading out to climb again. Depending on the group’s skill levels and goals, we’ll head to multiple crags before converging again for dinner. Destinations include the classic Never Sleeping Wall, the unbelievable cave of the Grotta del Cavallo, and the stacked Torre Isulidda at Fakirella Beach. Group bonding is best done over delicious meals so we will have another group dinner.
Day 4: Climbing Day #3
You guessed it! More delicious pastries and coffee before we head out to climbing for the day. It might be warm so try convincing your guide to take you for a midday swim and gelato before heading to a crag that's shady in the afternoon. You'll be on your own for dinner this night.
Day 5: Rest Day or Climbing Day #4
For folks who are keen on another day of climbing we’ll head out again. For those who want to give their arms a break, they’ll be free to explore town, lay on the beach (no rest day is complete without gelato), rent bikes to take our to the Zingaro Reserve, rent a boat, go snorkeling, hike to the top of Monte Monaco, or possibly take a field trip to the nearby ancient Phoenician village of Erice. Luckily whatever you choose, you’re in luck because the climbing, lounging and sightseeing are all top notch. We’re also going to give you the night to yourself with no group dinner just to make sure you don’t get sick of us.
Day 6: Climbing Day #5
We’ll once again start with breakfast before heading out to climb for the day. If you have any goals for the trip still lingering, this is the day to make them happen. Maybe you want to lead your first sport route, clean a route and rappel for the first time, or climb a certain grade. Whatever your goals, our guides are there to help make them happen. You'll be on your own for dinner this night.
Day 7: Climbing Day #6
We will stick to our routine of breakfast in the morning before heading out to climb. Being that it's our last full day of climbing you may want to give deep water soloing a try. I mean, it's okay if your shoes get all wet if it's your last day of the trip! We will end the day by having dinner at our favorite restaurant in San Vito Lo Capo.
Day 8: Heading Home or Add a Day of Multi-Pitch Climbing
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and you’ll have to go home. A short ride from hotel to airport should have you on your way.
In addition to all of the amazing single-pitch routes we'll be climbing throughout the retreat, Sicily is also home to some incredible longer routes. If you've got more time to climb and would like to join us for an extra day or two of multi-pitch climbing, our guides will be available immediately following the retreat. Each guide can accommodate one or two people per day, and multipitch guiding is available for booking on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices vary by group size and how many days you'd like to climb. Contact us for details.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
Giulia Monego
Silvia Loreggian
Silvia Loreggian
IFMGA Mountain Guide / Superwoman
Our expert in all things Italian, Giulia was born in Venice and fell in love with the mountains sliding on snow in the Dolomites. She grew up as a ski racer, then switched to competing on the Freeride World tour, and is one of only a handful of women to complete the IFMGA certification in Italy. Giulia liv
IFMGA Mountain Guide / Superwoman
Our expert in all things Italian, Giulia was born in Venice and fell in love with the mountains sliding on snow in the Dolomites. She grew up as a ski racer, then switched to competing on the Freeride World tour, and is one of only a handful of women to complete the IFMGA certification in Italy. Giulia lives in Chamonix, France and works, skis and climbs full time. These days she even loves warm rock almost as much as cold snow, and can’t wait to bring her local knowledge to our programs in Sicily and Finale.
Silvia Loreggian
Silvia Loreggian
Silvia Loreggian
Aspirant IFMGA Mountain Guide
Born in Padua, Italy, Silivia grew up in a family that loved the mountains and was introduced to them at a young age.
Passionate about climbing in all its forms, from the crag, to training, to the big walls - Sylvia is a guide whose love for climbing is unparalleled.
Chris Wright
Silvia Loreggian
Chris Wright
IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Guide
Chris has climbed, guided, skied and eaten his way across the globe. Winner of the 2020 Piolet d’Or for the first ascent of 7041m Link Sar in Pakistan, he is always hunting for the perfect rock climbing vacation to provide sun and fun to offset cold nights in snowy mountains. His hardes
IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Guide
Chris has climbed, guided, skied and eaten his way across the globe. Winner of the 2020 Piolet d’Or for the first ascent of 7041m Link Sar in Pakistan, he is always hunting for the perfect rock climbing vacation to provide sun and fun to offset cold nights in snowy mountains. His hardest send in Leonidio so far is 7c+ (5.13a), but he’s just as excited about getting back to the spanakopita at the bakery as he is about finding the perfect 8a. Learn more about Chris at his website.
