| The Italian Maurizio Zanolla, better known as Manolo, recently revisited the tiny crag Baule, high up in the Dolomites. In 1990 he had climbed Appigli ridicoli (ridiculous holds), a 20m just-off vertical 8b after having drilled a one-finger pocket and improved another hold. This November he put the route back in its original state and repeated the route third go: suggested grade 8c. Manolo is a near mythical figure in Italian climbing, having seen the sport evolve from its very beginning to his 8c at the brink of 44. Famous for his audacious repeats in the Dolomites and his highly technical old-style vertical ascents, most of which still lie unrepeated almost a decade on, Manolo had the following to say: "Its hard to grade a route like this because of the nature of the climbing even though the moves are there and the holds small and positive, there are a couple of touch-and-go sections. Given my age, lack of power, injuries and the speed with which I freed the line perhaps it isnt 8c
but its definitely 8b+. Its clear though that, as always, well have to wait for a repeat for the grade to be confirmed." | | Top left: Maurizio 'Manolo' Zanolla Photo Oscar Durbiano Top: Manolo on 'Il mattino dei maghi' 7c+ Photo Simion | |