The Dolomites and Via Ferrata 2007

Return to alavigne.net home

NOTE: You have javascript disabled in your browser. This presentation will continue to function, but with only basic capabilities. In order to view this presentation will full capabilities, please enable javascript in your browser, then refresh this page.

[< Previous Page]

[page 1] [page 2] [page 3] [page 4]

[Next Day >]

Tuesday, July 24

(...continued from previous page)

Our route now headed down and to the right, down a steep, somewhat loose gully. At the bottom of the gully, the route follows some well- constructed ledges hewn out of some sheer rock walls. The ledges lead diagonally upwards at first, then on the the horizontal, leading around to a gap in the southern ridge of Monte Paterno called the Forcella Passaporto. Here, the route crossed over onto the western side of the ridge - the side facing the Tre Cime towers.

Ledges and Staircases

Jenn and Monte Cengia

Post-Maelstrom Magic

courtesy DBoyd

Ledges and Staircases

Heading to Passaporto

Daryl and Grand Scenery

The passing of the storm must have also been the passing of some sort of weather front, because the humidity and haze in the air had gone down dramatically, the skies had cleared, and the visibility had gone up dramatically. Late day sun now streamed down onto us, and the air now had a crisp, clean feel to it. Standing at the forcella, we had a stunning view over to the Tre Cime, now fully exposed in all of their glory. They truly are a beauty of the dolomites!

In the rock nearby were strategically placed lookout / sniper holes. Although constructed for the worst of purposes, those manning these posts must surely have at times wondered at the amazing beauty they surveyed.

Airy ledgewalk

Wartime dugouts

Sniper's view

Echo of the past?

Monte Cengia

Forcella Passaporto

From the pass, we now traversed south along easy but airy ledges, sometimes protected by ferrata, and through the occasional bit of tunnel, back towards the Forcella Laveredo. In fact, it took us no time at all to complete this section, and we were soon at the Forcella, having completed the ferrata and now only a 30 minute walk away from the car. Directly above us now, the towers of the Tre Cime soared skyward. Impressive!

Now on the other side

Punching through

A big step

Heading down

Walking under Giants

Quite pleased with our outing and with our reasonably good time, especially since we had spent fifty minutes of that time sitting on our packs in a cave, we hiked back along the broad and gravelly trail 101 back to the parking lot above Rifugio Auronzo.

Final look at Forc. Toblin

Undescribable light

Capella degli Alpinisti

We arrived back [at the parking lot] well before the toll road's closing time of 8pm. We therefore had a little bit of extra time, and so we soaked in the fantastically-lit crags of the eastern dolomites for a bit. This was my first real exploration to this region, and what I saw definitely makes me want to come back here again! Torre Toblino, anyone?

(If you'd like to read more about the De Luca / Innerkofler route, please click here to go to my dedicated Via Ferrata page's route description.)

Wartime road

Heading back

Jenn arriving at end

Later, back in the campsite, we freshened up and met with Pu, who had had a fine time cycling down to Cortina and seeing the sights of the town, including several arts galleries and even a local funeral (We did tell him he missed some of the most fantastic scenery ever, though!). We capped off our fine day with a visit to a restaurant in town.

Interactive Trackmap & Photo Points - De Luca / Innerkofler route - Click map to expand

Interactive Trackmap & Photo Points - De Luca / Innerkofler route - click to expand