Down the via Normale on Civetta

The climb on via ferrata Alleghesi, which Barbara has since described as one of her favourite outings, was followed the next day by what may have been one of Barbara’s least favourite outings…

The via Normale, a grade II (UIAA) climbing route, partly equipped with fixed cables, can be used to reach the summit of Monte Civetta. It is also commonly used to descend from the summit or the hut after either ascending the mountain via ferratas Alleghesi or Tissi. It’s not in the ‘difficult’ category, but… for more than 750 vertical metres you’re negotiating all kinds of challenges on steep, loose and sometimes unsecured terrain! And you are down-climbing! With its own physical as well as psychological issues…

To add to the ‘fun’ the remains of the snowfield at the base of the route has melted away from the rock, so we have to make our way underneath it for about 10 metres, before scrambling back onto the rock, stepping over a gap onto what looks like a super thin edge that could break off at any minute, then crossing the snow to meet up with the scree slope diagonally across for the final part of the descent. From here we have to pick our way through the rubble and debris that makes up the scree field, before we finally reach the contour path and make our way back via Rifugio Coldai to Palafavera where we had parked the car.

A night in a cosy hotel in Cortina and a visit to our favourite pizzeria, Porto Rotondo, helped to restore the spirits after a particularly hard mountain day! 


4 Comments on “Down the via Normale on Civetta”

  1. Looks super challenging ! Well done Barbara and your encourager . Thanks for this blog. Very engrossing ! Do you two actually do any work ? 🙂

    • Barbara’s back at work as of Tuesday, Paul. I’ve got a few more days of hanging around the house. Look after yourself, Cuz!

  2. Pingback: Into the fascinating world of the OberAletsch Glacier [mountain paths]

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