Lantana climbing

Crag: Lantana, Orobie, Italy
Routes: Lucertole Impazzite (f5:led), Obelix (f5+:sec), Qui (f5:led), Push Up (f5:sec)
After a convivial evening with only four other hut residents (two Canadians, two Bergamaschi), we enjoyed a leisurely hut breakfast before heading back down to Valbondione from the Coca hut. The weather, fortunately, seemed much less stable today - but we needed a rest, so it didn't matter. We climbed a spur above the hut first for magnificent views over the Val Seriana. Then, the steep Valle del Rolledrino led down to the treeline above Rianlivere to eventually gain Valbondione. A surprisingly steep and lengthy descent, although perhaps we were just tiring after two big mountain days. We got to the village just in time for cappuccino, not wanting to transgress the 11am limit! Alongside a brioche, much better than the average hut breakfast, in a nice cafe in the centre of Valbondione. Then it was down to Clusone for lunch and a walk round before booking a charming Alpine hotel in Castione del Presolana. After this, we were ready for some cragging - but the storm that had been brewing all day finally broke as we checked in. Nothing for it but to relax in our rooms and watch the rain from our balconies: no bad thing. Much later on, at 6pm, it cleared, so we drove to Lantana for a reccie of our nearest crag. After a bit of searching, we found it and it proved very promising. We didn't have time for much, so went to the smallest Settore A for an 'aperitif'. Even on this least distinguished cliff, it was good - pocketed limestone, good features. I led a simple f5 up a pocketed slab, and later led a route up a curving crack further left. The rock was dry, although the pockets were wet. Hunger saw us scurrying back for pizza as it got dark and it started to rain again.