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The Way of the Trenches

On our fourth day of climbing in the dolomites, We climbed along an interesting wartime route called the via ferrata delle trincee, or, in english, "the way of the trenches". The route follows a jagged ridgeline that was used in Word War I as a fortified position above the mountain pass below. The route passes by many wartime ruins and through interesting tunnels and galleries. The route is graded fairly high for its initial steep section (Grade 4B). Overall, however, it is not really that hard.

Regional Locator Map: Trincee Ferrata
The via ferrata delle trincee climbs along a jagged and dramatic ridge that rises up just opposite from the Marmolada, the highest peak in the dolomites. The rock is actually dark and volcanic. It is not dolomite. Still, it is solid and climbable, and offers a nice change of pace. [enlarge]
Trincee Start
this is the start sign for the Ferrata delle Trincee at the passo di Fedaia The highway on the left is the S641. [enlarge]
Marmolada shines in the morning light
The Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites, as seen from partway up the trail to the Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Marmolada shines in the morning light
The Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites, as seen from partway up the trail to the Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Arabba geologic trail
The path in the foreground is known as the 'sentiero geologico di Arabba', or the Arabba geologic trail. It winds its way beautifully along below the ferrata delle Trincee, allowing for a nice loop hike when combined with the Ferrata. [enlarge]
Jenn and Brian and Volcanic Boulders
Jenn and Brian hike amongst volcanic boulders on the Arabba geologic trail. [enlarge]
courtesy BConnell
Volcanic Boulders
Scenic volcanic boulders on the Arabba geologic trail. [enlarge]
Ramp to the sky
Jenn and Brian hike seemingly towards the sky on the Arabba Geologic trail. The mighty Marmolada rises in the background across the valley. [enlarge]
Hike Break
Jenn and Brian on a break while hiking towards the start of the Via Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Marmolada Summit
A closeup of the rock and glacier of the Marmolada's summit. [enlarge]
Marmolada Summit
A closeup of the rock and glacier of the Marmolada's summit. [enlarge]
Trail marker
A trail marker along the Arabba Geologic trail. [enlarge]
Mamolada and Sheep
A flock of sheep graze under the spectacular Marmolada. [enlarge]
Jenn bullies sheep
Jenn bullies sheep off of the trail on her way to the Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Curious Sheep
Curious sheep watch us hike by on our way to the Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Marmolada Summit
A closeup of the rock and glacier of the Marmolada's summit. [enlarge]
Looking Back
A view back down the way we've just come on the Arabba geologic trail. [enlarge]
Jagged Trincee ridge
A view up at the first jagged ridge of the Via Ferrata delle Trincee. You can see the rickety old bridge spanning one section. [enlarge]
Marmolada and Cheery Brian
A smilin' Brian Connell hikes up through wonderful scenery towards the start of the Via Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Profile Trincee Ferrata start
This is a profile view of the start of the via ferrata delle trincee. The ferrata starts on the left, at the start of the steep section of ridge. [enlarge]
Profile Trincee Ferrata start, closeup
This is a profile view of the start of the via ferrata delle trincee. The ferrata starts on the left, at the start of the steep section of ridge. [enlarge]
Ferrata bridge
A closeup of the bridge on the Via Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Colac from afar
A view of Colac from the start of the Via Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Climber on Bridge
A view of a climber on the bridge of the Via Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
First Pitch of Trincee Ferrata
This is a view of the first steep pitch of the Via Ferrata Delle Trincee. [enlarge]
courtesy BConnell
First Pitch of Trincee Ferrata
This is a view of the first steep pitch of the Via Ferrata Delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Climbers on first pitch
Climbers on the first steep pitch of the via ferrata delle trincee. [enlarge]
Jenns starts
Jenn starts climbing on the Via Ferrata delle trincee. [enlarge]
Brian and Jenn on slab
Brian and Jenn on the smooth steep slab not far from the start of the Via Ferrata delle Trincee. Sella group in the distant background. [enlarge]
Pointy Ridge!
Jenn on the pointy ridgetop of the Via Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Pointy Ridge!
Jenn on the pointy ridgetop of the Via Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Brian on Airy Ridge
Brian on the pointy ridgetop of the Via Ferrata delle Trincee. [enlarge]
Gottfried gets a body
Gottfried is so excited to be on the airy ridge of the via ferrata delle trincee, he sprouts a body! [enlarge]
Looking towards bridge
Looking along the via ferrata delle trincee towards the bridge section. [enlarge]
Jenn on the bridge
Jenn on the Via ferrata delle trincee's bridge [enlarge]
Brian on exposed ridge
Brian on the exciting and exposed ridge of the via ferrata delle trincee (just before the bridge). [enlarge]
Bridge
The [seemingly] rickety bridge on the via ferrata delle trincee. [enlarge]
Brian on narrows before bridge
Brian on the narrows just before crossing the bridge. [enlarge]
Brian crosses bridge
Brian crossing the bridge on the via ferrata delle trincee. [enlarge]
Along a via ferrata
This is a common sight as one climbs along a via ferrata. Wire, attachment and biners. [enlarge]
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[ 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 ]

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