Arete de Zonza - Awesome Trad Route, Foggy Descent: A True Adventure Day

This climb became one of our most beautiful and unforgettable multi-pitch adventures of the year. We climbed this 11-pitch easy trad route in perfect September conditions, with crisp air, glowing limestone, and that deep sense of freedom only long days on the wall can give you.

The route itself is pure joy: smooth movement, a short abseil that adds to the journey, and one friendly crux pitch protected by a bolt so the move never feels too serious. With only 3–4 bolts total, it stays true to traditional climbing. You protect the entire line with friends, slings, tufas, and natural features. Most belays are built on slings or tufas, and the final anchor has one bolt plus a perfect placement for a friend — simple, clean, and classic.


But the real story of the day didn’t happen on the wall — it happened on the descent.

What was supposed to be a straightforward walk-off quickly turned into a full-on mountain ordeal. First, we misunderstood the guidebook description and the abseil length, which led us into the wrong gully. Suddenly, we had to improvise: abseiling off a tree, sliding through shrubs and loose dirt, always hoping our rope wouldn’t get stuck on pull.


Then the weather joined the adventure.

A thick fog rolled in, visibility dropped, and the sun started setting way faster than expected. We lost orientation multiple times, stumbling around the ridge and gully system in fading light, still wearing our climbing shoes, trying to find the way back down to our stashed backpacks in the dark.

Thank god we had our headlamps, because by the time we finally located the packs, it was pitch black. Exhausted, dirty, laughing, and slightly shaken — the kind of descent you’ll remember for years.
If you love climbs that feel like mini expeditions, with real decisions, exposure, problem-solving, and a descent that turns into an adventure of its own, this route delivers everything. This day reminded us why we climb: the beauty, the challenge, the unknown.


👉 If this adventure inspired you, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and COMMENT:
What was your most chaotic or unforgettable descent?