Preface

Whatever way you choose to describe Tuscany we are talking about all round culture because this land is connected to names like Leonardo or Frescobaldi, to cities like Pisa or Florence, to towns like Monteriggioni or to wines such as Chianti. Every single stone that makes up the city walls and the fortified villages consists of its past history and culture. The sea and islands of its archipelago are little gems crowning a territory which is in itself fantastic. The gastronomic traditions in their simplicity represent these peculiarities. What has climbing got to do with all of this? The Apuan Alps, mountain chain with an interesting relief, have historically represented a very important playground for alpinism, but with the advent of sports climbing every boulder and every little rock face have become interesting areas for the practice of this discipline, and this guide book proves how Tuscany is covered in them. Pleasant areas immersed in nature which is still wild or nearby cities such as Pisa or Florence, where each one of us can find gratification in our passion, be it rock faces with multi pitch routes or crags. This guide is the umpteenth piece of work undertaken to try and supply the maximum amount of information to all those that are interested in getting to know the climbing potential of this region. Wrongly we often hear from our “northern” friends that the distance from the Tuscan crags or rock faces does not justify the trip and that it is more convenient to go climbing in the Prealps or even the Alps. We personally believe that it would be a lot more interesting to make a specific choice, since here the difficulty and beauty of the rocks are second to none. In compiling this guide book, a job which in appearance seems simple, we have definitely made some mistakes or disappointed someone for giving half a grade more or less on some route described, but if this has happened, it was done in good faith. Some climbing sites of this region have not been described, not because we don’t know them or they weren’t worth mentioning, on the contrary, but for a quiet life with the inhabitants or private landowners, the community of climbers or above all with a few bolters who asked us not to divulge them. Come and visit us. Come climbing in Tuscany! Mauro and Fabrizio

INTERNATIONAL LAND-AIR RESCUE SIGNS FOR HELICOPTERS AND PLANES

Land-air signs WE NEED HELP

Red flare or light WE DON’T NEED HELP

Land-air signs

Yes

Red material / red flag

Square shape 100x100cm. Red central circle (60cm diameter). White ring 15cm

No