On our third day of climbing in the dolomites, Brian joined us from Canada. We then proceeded to climb a long and interesting ferrata: theVia Ferrata dei Finanzieri, which climbs a peak called "Colac".
|
|
Dolomites - twisty heaven?
Two motorcyclists enjoy the impeccably-paved and super-twisty highways of the dolomites.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Brian's Back!
Brian takes his first picture on Brian does the Dolomites 2005!
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Regional Locator Map : Colac
The Colac is a dramatic peak that rises up not far from the Marmolada, the highest peak in the dolomites. The via ferrata dei finanzieri climbs Colac. It is a long medium-grade route.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Busy Camping Vidor
Here we are camped again at Camping Vidor, a fancy and popular campground in the Val di Fassa area of the Dolomites. The previous two times, we went in fall. Let me tell you that summer is ver-ry busy. And noisy.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Colac
This is a view of Colac from the north-east. Essentially, the Via Ferrata dei Finanzieri goes up the right-hand face.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Ciampac Cablecar
This is the Ciampac Cablecar, which leads up to terrain near the base of the Colac.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Colac's West Face
This is the west face of the Colac. The ferrata dei Finanzieri leads up this face, from bottom all the way to the top.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Colac's West Face
This is the west face of the Colac. The ferrata dei Finanzieri leads up this face, from bottom all the way to the top.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Sign to Ferrata
A sign pointing the way to the start of the Ferrata dei Finanzieri on Colac.
[enlarge]
|
courtesy BConnell
|
Sign to Ferrata
A sign pointing the way to the start of the Ferrata dei Finanzieri on Colac.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Hiking to the Ferrata's Base
A view of the easy flat hiking leading to the base of the Ferrata dei Finanzieri on the Colac.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Ferrata Start Plaque
This is the ferrata start plaque on the Ferrata dei Finanzieri.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Brian on inter-ferrata portion
Brian hikes a short bit of trail between the initial ferrata section and the main ferrata section.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Jenn on inter-ferrata portion
Jenn hikes a short bit of trail between the initial ferrata section and the main ferrata section.
[enlarge]
|
courtesy BConnell
|
Andrew on Ferrata
Andrew climbs a section on the via Ferrata dei Finanzieri.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Jenn on Ferrata
Jenn climbs the face of Colac on the Via Ferrata dei Finanzieri.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Jenn on Ferrata
Jenn climbs the face of Colac on the Via Ferrata dei Finanzieri.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
The Slab Pitch
The smooth slab pitch on the Via Ferrata dei Finanzieri on the Colac. There are stemples here and there when the rock gets very smooth.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Stemples on Slab
The smooth slab pitch on the Via Ferrata dei Finanzieri on the Colac. There are stemples here and there when the rock gets very smooth.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
The steepest part
This is the steepest part of the Via Ferrata dei Finanzieri - a well-stempled but completely vertical and airy section.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Brian and Jenn on very steep terrain
Brian and Jenn near the top of the slab section on the Via Ferrata dei Finanzieri.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Top of vertical pitch
A shot down looking at Brian and Jenn on the vertical stempled section of the via ferrata dei finanzieri.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
High up on Colac
Jenn and Brian climb high on Colac's West Face.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Jenn high above Val Di Fassa
Jenn rests for a moment high on the Colac's West Face, with the Val di Fassa in the background below.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Jenn on another steep section
Jenn on another steep section of the via ferrata dei Finanzieri.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Up to the summit
The view up the north ridge towards the summit block.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Brian reaches north ridge
Brian reaches the notch on the north ridge, at which point the ferrata turns left and heads up towards the summit (which in this picture is towards the camera).
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Jenn on summit ridge with Marmolada
Jenn looks askance on the final bit up to the summit on Colac. The highest mountain in the Dolomites, the Marmolada, rises sharply in the background.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
The Marmolada
The summit of Colac is a great place to have a look at the Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites.
[enlarge]
|
courtesy BConnell
|
Jenn and summit cross, Colac
Jenn approaches the antique-looking summit cross on Colac.
[enlarge]
|
courtesy BConnell
|
Summit cross, Colac
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Sella Group from Colac Summit
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Ferrata delle Trincee
A view of the ridge of the Ferrata delle Trincee from the summit of Colac.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Colac Descent Route
This is the spray painted sign just off Colac's summit, showing the 'easy' route down.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Summit and descent route
This is a wide angle view, showing the summit (right) and the descent route (middle).
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Descent route, Colac
A view of a narrow notch on the descent route of the Colac.
[enlarge]
|
courtesy BConnell
|
Andrew and Jenn on descent
Andrew and Jenn on the descent route of the Colac.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Brian in Notch
Brian pauses in a narrow notch on Colac's descent route.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Jenn and summit knob
A shot of Jenn on Colac's descent route. The summit is the highest, rounded knob you can see in the background.
[enlarge]
|
|
|
Colac Descent Route
A view of the protected but quite easy descent route down the Colac.
[enlarge]
|
[ 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 ]
