Via Ferrata

Woke up to a somewhat less than average morning. Low cloud, a little wind, and damp. But the forecast for the morning was OK, with showers predicted for the afternoon and evening, and with a professional guide we decided, rightly, that he would ultimately make the cal. And when he showed up at the campground at 8am to pick us up, he did exactly that. He thought all would be OK. So we set off.

Around a 30 minute drive to the the Paolina lift, just a few mins up the road form Vogo di Fass, and then 37 euro later, for a return trip, we were at the top of the lift and ready to walk. Several days ago he’d taken a trio of British ladies across the front and up a couloir with ice requiring crampons, but today with the family it was around the mountain and up the backside, less snow and safer. Good call.

So around we went, past a Refugio, up a rocky couloir and up onto the plateau, across some snow, down a trail, and then we were at the start of the upwards section of the via ferrata. I’m not sure where I got this from, but my vision was walking around a rock face, on a ledge, strapped the mountain. The reality was that we were climbing up a steep ridge, clipped onto a wire rope, and periodically, or at least every piton, having to unclip and clip back on. And in some places, having to unclip completely and walk, sometimes a narrow path to the next clip point, with a large fall beneath you. Maybe that sounds a bit more dramatic than it was, but still …

Anyway, we made it to the top of the first face and reached the summit after 45 minutes, which was pretty good going, and I think surprised our guide! The kids didn’t have to clip/unclip, they were roped to him, and they just cruised up, fun they said! I was tail end Charlie, and scary cat combined ;-)

Summit at 12.15 and cloudy but as we ate the sun started breaking through and we got magnificent views of the valleys and mountains. In some ways it was perfect, cloud on the way up so you couldn’t see how far it was to fall (and it was a long way) and then clear at the top! 30 minutes after it was time to set off again, just in case the weather turned. Thankfully it didn’t however, it just got better!

Down a rather steep path, above a rather big cliff, where I was thinking, better not slip, before we got the cables again. And then down. This time, me in front, Adam next, Hannah, Manuel, and the Hil. No problem. Then into the saddle of a couloir, and then the interesting stuff, across and up a sheer rock face.

I have to say, that’s not my idea of a good time, but being in front, and roped to everyone else, I has no choice but to go forward! Well, across, and then ultimately up. The good part was that a. you were clipped the cliff and b. there we’re rungs were no natural footholds existed. So in some respects, it was just a big climbing wall, with a rather large drop. Honestly, I didn’t look down, I just looked for the next had and foothold and clip point, and in reality it was pretty easy. Adam was right behind me and loved it, Hannah was in front of Manuel, who boosted her across some bits, as her legs weren’t long enough.

And then were were at the top of the face, a downhill walk, another section down a chimney, and finally onto back onto solid land! 15 minutes later we were at a Refugio, drinking beer, and looking up at what we’d done. Wow, this is a crazy pace, wild mountains and then cold beer. Nuts!

A walk back to the chair, down, car back to the campsite and it was over. What a day 270 euros for the trip, but one that I, and the kids will remember I am sure! Our guide, Manuel from Dolomites Guide, was brilliant. Highly recommend him.

Once back I walked up to the village, all of 5 minutes, did some shopping, picked up some pizza drank beer in the square while I waited, and then headed back to the camp, where we ate under a shelters it was drizzling Normal it appears to be in the afternoon.

I think I am just a little bit in love with this town, the mountains, and all they have to offer. Simply amazing.

And in the photo you can see the wall we are next to scale ;-)