Next day and next stop was an easy and short ferrata in the Sella Group, one of the more westerly groups of the dolomites. We stayed at a campground we had stayed in before - a place called 'Camping Colfosco' in the hamlet of Colfosco, at the northeastern corner of the Sella Group. This was both on our way to the higher alps and also quite close to the start of our ferrata, which was called the 'via ferrata piz da lech'. Piz da lech is one of the many summits in the Sella Group. It is only moderate in height, and it has a short but popular ferrata.
courtesy BConnell
This was another route in which the approach is assisted by cable car. From the cablecar station in Corvara, just down the road from Colfosco, we were whisked up in two stages to the 8000-ish foot level. We passed through a cloud layer on the way up, and, at the top chairlift we had a wonderful above-cottony-clouds view of the other high peaks of the dolomites. They looked very impressive this way, with their jagged peaks poking through the cloud deck. We could clearly see the ridge of the trincee ferrata from here (which we did the day before), and it looked dark and treacherous.
A short and easy well-signed walk led to the start of the ferrata. There were a lot of climbers on this route, and we prepared ourselves for a slow climb. I was getting re-acquainted enough with being on ferrata routes that I made it a point to climb the entire distance not using the wire as a means to climb up, and instead actually climbed on the rock. Quite enjoyable - the rock was solid and craggy.
courtesy BConnell
courtesy BConnell
At the mid-point of the Piz da Lech ferrata are a couple of high airy ladders. There was a veritable traffic jam of people, and we spent a while cooling our heels at the base, waiting for a long train of climbers to negotiate the ladders. The guidebook says that the top of one of the ladders is a bit awkward and tends to 'push you off'. When we finally got to do the ladders ourselves, I didn't really find the tops of the ladders all that bad.
Streaked Wall and Ladders
Not long above this, the technical climbing and the wires end, and it is just an easy mountain path leading to the summit. Impressive views of wild and desolate towers in the interior of the Sella group presented themselves to us. Brian got out his juggling balls (one of his little traditions on a climbing trip) and did a couple of rounds of juggling. The day had cleared but turned hazy, making views limited. The ever-present alpine chough birds circled around for our food, and this time I attempted to take some zoomed-in motion shots of them. Hard to do!
courtesy BConnell
courtesy BConnell
Andrew and Jenn near summit
Juggling in the Dolomites
The way down the Piz da Lech ferrata is an easy path except for a minor laddersection partway down. It takes very little time to return back to the top of the chairlift, and in fact, we got back before the 2pm startup time for the lift. (the lift closes for a mid-day siesta break from 12-2pm ). The lift soon started up again, though, and it was a relaxing and pleasant descent back down to the car. An easy and short day.
courtesy BConnell
[ Italy 2005 trip
home page |
The main trip report |
Family |
Monte Cervialto |
Herculaneum & Vesuvius |
Palace of Caserta |
Amalfi & Capri |
Abruzzo & Monte Amaro |
Rome |
Tuscany |
Venice |
The Biennale |
Via Ferrata-ing in the dolomites |
Climbing in the Ortles |
Gottfried's Adventures |
Maps, Graphs & GPS Data ]
