Il volo di Pegasus, new route on Monte Monaco, Sicily

Austrians Albert Leichtfried and Reinhard Ranner have carried out the first ascent of Il volo di Pegasus (260m, 7a) on Monte Monaco, San Vito lo Capo, Sicily.

Albert Leichtfried has obvioulsy fallen in love with Sicily. In May the Austrian Mountain Guide returned to the land of legends for his third year running - perhaps to warm up after his intense winter ice climbing season - and as usual he left the Mediterranean island with a gift, this time in the form of "Il volo di Pegasus", a new route up Monte Monaco close to San Vito lo Capo.

After his 2009 creation - la Lingua Pura - this time Leichtfried ventured up a new line a few meters to the left to create a 260m 7a, climbed from the ground-up and on-sight. Even if the difficulties are not excessive, Leichtfired stated "with only 17 bolts on the pitches, the route turned out to be a great adventure" before adding "the route climbs perfect rock marked by the incredible rock formations and tufas, and is very beautiful indeed."

	IL VOLO DI PEGASUS