Via Ferratas and Cortina, Italy

[Cumbrian Neil]

I know this has very little to do with caving, but there are tunnels involved!! So... has anyone been to the Cortina region of Italy?? If so, what accomodations are available and which of the ferratas did you explore??

Any information would be appreciated!

CN.

 

[hoehlenforscher]

I have been there mate. Fantastic. I dont have my guide book here so cant give you the names of the routes we did but they were all classics. One had a long tunnel carved on a upwards spiral. You went in at the base of the cliff, came out on a ledge a few hundred feet up. If you are still interested I can do some interent searching and find out the details. We tended to camp wild while there (summer). Offical camp sites were packed out with campervans like sardines. We asked a few of the huts if we could camp outside and was not a problem.

Havefun you will enjoy it

Mark

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

Thanks for your input. This site Andrew's Pages is probably the best I have seen. I have the Cicerone Press Guidebook which gives a good description of the routes. This site Cortina d'Ampezzo also gives some good links. Did you find it expensive in the Cortina area??

It sounds like you might have done the Lagazuoi Galleries.

CN.

 

[bubba]

I had a V.F. holiday a few years back with my girlfriend. Although I can't remember the specifics of routes and accomodation I would just say that they are awesome fun.

Obviously watch out for electric storms and make sure you have a proper fall device - even with one of those on falling any distance may seriously injure you but at least you won't snap your cows tail and plummet to a sticky end.

The most memorable one we did went straight up an 850ft high wall next to a large waterfall - awesome stuff!

SamT has also done some and may have done some of the underground ones mentioned.

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

850ft high wall... yeesh!! Sounds like a trip that would make a person's sphincter pucker up!! I'm looking at a grade of C or lower initially!! I never have had a good head for heights!! GG's main shaft gave me the willies on SRT.

Sam T - Do you have any input on the ins and outs of accomodation??

CN.

 

[bubba]

The exposure can be quite mind-boggling.

Actually, it's bigger than 850ft! Here's a pic of the route, it's the Pisciadu Climbing Path, Grade D:

And a shot on the route, though I don't remember it being this steep...guess it must have been :?

Those pics are from quite a nice website.

The other ones I remember are the Santner Pass to the Vajolet Hut which was grade C - only a tiny bit of climbing and more of a walk really.
And the Rotwand, Masare one - also grade C but far more entertaining and takes you to a 2800m summit with amazing views. This is the last VF on the site linked above. This was the most airy bit, a step down across some spikes above a pretty tasty drop:

 

[SamT]

just been to cortina for a week 2 weeks ago. Fantastic. A little out of season now though. Im a bit busy at work a the mo but will give you all the gen when I have some more time (tomorrow night probably).

Consider Staying in Canazi to the West of cortina - we prefered it.

 

[hoehlenforscher]

Pisciadu Hmmm thats the one with the suspension bridge over the void near the top IIRC. Brilliant route. First time we went we knew nothing about VFs and set off and did a grade D route with no protection at all. More or less treated it as a wlak with hairy bits! Mind you we were faster than anyone else (useful given the late afternoon thundserstorms) and we were both rock climbing to a pretty high standard at the time. If you can do GG main shaft on SRT then you will not have a problem with exposure and you will sure as hell have a good time....

You asked if i thought it was expensive. I never have expensive holidays. Tend to camp wild and live on bread and cheese. Generally the continent is far cheaper for accommodation than either the UK or the states and food and fuel tend to be a bit cheaper than the UK at the mo due to strong pound

cheers

Mark

 

[bubba]

Yes, lots of people solo them, with or without kit. Personally I don't think I would, just because you never know what might hit you on the head but I'd probably have thought differently back when I was a super-keen climber and doing lots of soloing anyway.

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

If you can do GG main shaft on SRT then you will not have a problem with exposure and you will sure as hell have a good time.

I've got shitty eye sight... GG in the dark is no problem But, thanks for your confidence.

Can't wait to hear what Sam T has to say on the subject!

CN.

 

[AndyF]

Ferretas, yes fantastic - except in lightning storms, where you are tied to the worlds largest lightning conductor...

10 or so people a year get fried in this way...

The tunnels themselves date from the first World War, when the Italians were on our side. Many of the summits are riddled with them, and they are worth an explore in their own right. There are lots of artefacts down there in the ones that are off the beaten track... We found old nespapers, bottles, ammunition etc. etc.

There are also a few graves on some of the paths, just a couple of sticks marking them sometimes.

For an underground experience, I'd recommend the Tri Zimmen area.

There are good guide books around, but i don't like the Cicerone ones, as they are often poorly translated. They also use Italian place/peak names, whereas most signs in the mountain areas are in German...

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

Ferretas, yes fantastic - except in lightning storms, where you are tied to the worlds largest lightning conductor...

:shock: ... I think every site I have been to noted this problem!!

There are good guide books around, but i don't like the Cicerone ones, as they are often poorly translated. They also use Italian place/peak names, whereas most signs in the mountain areas are in German...

Do you know the names of the guidebooks you mention??

CN.

 

[hoehlenforscher]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/026-3568939-0297258

the via ferrata - a guide to scrambles in the dolmites is the definitive (aka only english language one) guide available to non German/italian speakers. Not sure about the price though. Is it unavailable now and in high demand? Better go and find my copy and put it in the safe!

Mark

 

[hoehlenforscher]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1852843624/ref=pd_sim_b_dp_1/026-3568939-0297258

found this one too

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1852843624/ref=pd_sim_b_dp_1/026-3568939-0297258

found this one too

This is the one I am currently using as a guide.

CN.