In the next valley to the east  – Val Varatella above the village of Toirano, we head for sector La Cava. This is another unlikely venue, approached through old quarry workings like Horseshoe on the scale of the Dinorwic quarries! Luckily this is just a way to access a string of natural crags further round the hillside.

Artista gives some great 35m routes in the 5 to 6b range, all with the benefit of afternoon shade.

Further right, the smaller sector of Litigometro offers some unusual public art…

…and an impressive leaning arête of Bomba X. Desperate times call for desperate measures and I resort to a practice before a successful redpoint of a stunning 7a+.