RED POINT

The crisp, alpine air bit at my exposed fingers as I reached for the next crimp. Above, the overhanging limestone of 'Red Point' loomed, a formidable testpiece in the Lake Garda Mountains. This wasn't just any 8+; the polished holds, relentless pump, and intricate sequences demanded absolute precision and unwavering commitment. Lake Garda shimmered far below, a stunning yet distracting reminder of the sheer exposure. I chalked up, breathed deep, and mentally rehearsed the next sequence. The crux move involved a tenuous dyno to a sloper, followed by a desperate heel hook. I launched, stuck the sloper, and somehow held on as my heel locked into place. A surge of adrenaline propelled me through the remaining, slightly easier section. Clipping the chains at the top was pure elation, a moment of triumph etched against the backdrop of the breathtaking Garda landscape. 'Red Point' had been a hard-fought battle, a testament to the power and beauty of climbing in this stunning corner of Italy.

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