Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf)  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  1,189. Good page?    Administrators:  TYeary, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Matt Othmer on Apr 7, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: A view of the Urca and Pao de Acucar as seen from ...

Description 

Home to some of the most classic and fun multi-pitch climbing in Rio. If you are a climber, there is no excuse to take the cable car to the top. There are routes for all ability levels, so choose wisely. Many of the bigger routes are bolt protected, but be prepared for run-outs and a very traditional feel. Bring long runners and a 60 meter rope. Some of the best routes on the Pao de Acucar are the Via das Italianos, Waldemar Guimaraes, the Totem, the Chiminea Stop, and Secundo Costa Neto.

NOTE: many people think that there is a class 4 scramble up the back of the Pao de Acucar. There is not. The route, called Costao, is a technical climb. There is a 100 foot face that is 5.7 and exposed. People get hurt (and killed) here, so don’t go into it underprepared.

Getting There 

There are five main areas on the Pao de Acucar: each of the four faces, and the Totem, which is part of the south face. As a point of reference, the west face is directly underneath the cable car route. To access the west and north face, you must hike over the shoulder between Pao de Acucar and Urca, on a well established trail that splits off of the main paved path which skirts the south side of the formation. To reach the south face, there are smaller climber trails established that break off of the same paved path. To reach the east face, you walk to the end of the paved trail and then cross 4th and 5th class terrain to get to the base of the climbs.

The guidebook is EXCELLENT and can get you anywhere you need to go.
Urca by Flavio Daflon and Delson de Queiroz can be found in various climbing shops around Rio, including one near the entrance to park.
From the top of Pao de Acucar, you can take the cable car down free of charge to the first station. From there you have to walk down one of the access trails to get back to the parking lot, unless it is after 7pm.

The Classics

Featured Route For Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf)

Via do Totem 5.11+  International : South America : ... : Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf)

This route is actually a combination of several routes on the Totem formation that were established over the course of several years. Sika em Frente to Limiar das Lacas to As Lacas Tambem Amam to Revolta das Gravatas to Lagartao.It is absolutely spectacular. There are splitter cracks and technical face moves up a beautiful wall....[more]   Browse More Classics in International