After the “short rope” exam, it’s time to get back to climbing steeper rock, but the sky is unfriendly. Fede offers to share a few adventures. After numerous consultations with wizards and oracles, we discover that only in his area might it be possible to climb, so I load the car and head to Tuscany. After a day at the Greppolungo crag, we move towards the marble area of Massa, where Greg and Carlo are waiting for us to try the east face of Monte Pesaro. Four steps downhill (which on the way back will feel much longer) and we start the rappels. I dangle in the void for about fifteen minutes, swinging like a pendulum to clip a bolt under an overhang, and reach the next belay with emptiness pouring out of me everywhere. Fede joins me with a huge smile and that familiar expression I know so well, which makes it clear he won’t lead a single pitch (Fede later corrected me, saying he was actually keen to lead his pitches, but after the first pitch he was certain it would all be mine). I look around in confusion and struggle up to the first belay, and then the miracle happens… What was I thinking during the rappels? Escape routes? Nothing could be further from the truth—this route is a blast! For the topo, I recommend checking toscoclimb.