Woke up early the following morning to a thick marine layer. We were at the park at opening time (7am) and filling out the requisite paperwork. The projected 45 minute approach took us at least twice as long. The Pedra would occasionally show herself through the fog: a real stunner of a mountain especially from the “front” side. However, the only climbing allowed on the formation at the moment is the Via Normal on the less impressive “back” side. Seven pitches of very well bolted Brazilian IV (5.7) slab climbing put us on the pretty impressive summit in improving visibility.
As was our approach seven years earlier, we climbed with our friends as separate teams but combined forces for rappelling.
That evening we enjoyed a bit more of what the little resort area had to offer in terms of food options. It reminded us that Didi was a real foodie; something we really appreciate!
Photos
Setting out from our Airbnb in the morning (May 2026).First sighting of Pedra Azul from town in the morning (May 2026).A gorgeous formation (May 2026).At the trailhead for Pedra Azul (May 2026).Entering the park (May 2026).Shirley starting the approach (May 2026).Rolling clouds that would mostly burn off by the afternoon (May 2026).Didi, Shirley, and Pedra Azul (May 2026).There are apparently a couple routes to the top of this gendarme but all of those are now strictly off limits (May 2026).Didi and Shirley (May 2026).Not the ugliest approach (May 2026).Needed to fill out some paperwork before climbing. This is the ranger station inside the park (May 2026).Admiring the lady from the anger station (May 2026).Huge huecos on the face of Pedra Azul (May 2026).A closer look at one exemplar (May 2026).Shirley and the boys on the approach trail above the ranger station (May 2026).A nicely constructed hiking trail (May 2026).The crew at an overlook point (May 2026).The slabby backside is coming into view (May 2026).A bit socked in (May 2026).Awesome pools though too stagnant to enjoy this time of the year (May 2026).In slightly wetter seasons, when you have at least some water running, these make for some awesome swimming spots (May 2026).Starting the climbers’ trail (May 2026).On the climbers’ trail (May 2026).Nearing the start of the third class portion of the approach (May 2026).The less impressive “back side” of Pedra Azul (May 2026).A member of the welcoming committee (May 2026).Showing us how it’s done (May 2026).A group selfie at the end of the hiking trail. By Igor (obviously; May 2026).Shirley on the 3rd class portion of the approach to Pedra Azul. Some fixed lines here. Photo by Igor (May 2026).Nearing the start of the route (May 2026).Shirley arriving at the starting ledge for Via Normal (May 2026).Starting the lead of pitch 1 of Via Normal on Pedra Azul (May 2026).Nearing the belay (May 2026).Shirley starting up the Via Normal on Pedra Azul (May 2026).Shirley on pitch 1 (May 2026).Nearing the first belay (May 2026).Starting up pitch 2 (May 2026).Higher on pitch 2 (May 2026).Looking back at Shirley from the lead of pitch 2 (May 2026).Pitch 2. Well bolted as is the whole route (May 2026).At the second belay (May 2026).Shirley starting up pitch 2 (May 2026).Looking down in the direction of our approach (May 2026).Shirley on pitch 2 of Via Normal (May 2026).Pitch 2 (May 2026).Leading pitch 3 (May 2026).Shirley staring up pitch 3 – another fun, well-protected slab (May 2026).The views (May 2026).A closer look at Shirley climbing pitch 3 of Via Normal (May 2026).And more of pitch 3 (May 2026).Shirley leading the short and easy pitch 4 (May 2026).Pitch 4 (May 2026).Following Shirley on pitch 4 (May 2026).Starting pitch 5. A couple of slab moves lead to a longish walk to move the belay (May 2026).Shirley on the sidewalk portion of pitch 5 (May 2026).Starting the lead of pitch 6 (May 2026).Cool geology on pitch 6 of Via Normal (May 2026).Shirley starting up pitch 6 (May 2026).Pitch 6 (May 2026).And pitch 6 (May 2026).Shirley arriving at the 6th belay (May 2026).Trying the direct finish on pitch 7, just below the summit. It’s two moves of slab but with no bolts. Backed off and went to the left which was basically a class 3 walk (May 2026).Looking back at Shirley form the lead of pitch 7 just below the summit (May 2026).Shirley on pitch 7 (May 2026).Shirley arriving on the summit of Pedra Azul (May 2026).Shirley on the summit (May 2026).Igor, Shirley, and Adilio on the summit (May 2026).Looking down on the town below (May 2026).Summit flora (May 2026).View along the top of the fin that is Pedra Azul (May 2026).Summit register (May 2026).Wankers on the summit (May 2026).More summit shrubbery (May 2026).Shirley exploring the summit (May 2026).And one more of Didi, Shirley, and Igor on the summit (May 2026).Summit views. All that lovely granite and (currently) no climbing allowed (May 2026).Shirley rapping off the summit (May 2026).Down, down, down (May 2026).Shirley on the hike down (May 2026).Somewhere along the hike down (May 2026).The front and back profiles of Pedra Azul (May 2026).Shirley and Pedra Azul (May 2026).We took a slightly different way on the return hike (May 2026).The huge huecos of the front side (May 2026).Back at the ranger station (May 2026).At the Pedra Azul ranger station. Photo by Igor (May 2026).Gorgeous (May 2026).Shirley and the boys on the hike back (May 2026).Coffee plantations along the hike out (May 2026).Pretty (May 2026).Pedra Azul (May 2026).Shirley and Pedra Azul (May 2026).Back at the trailhead. Look at that beauty (May 2026).Looking forward to some local microbrews (May 2026).One last look at Pedra Azul from town (May 2026).A wider angle (May 2026).
