Via ferrata Tomaselli was the first via ferrata I climbed, way back in 2004. In the process I discovered that ferratas are a whole lot of fun! So the next year I came back, this time with an itinerary that included some top grade ferratas! And in the years since I’ve dragged my friends along, introducing them to climbing on iron ways!
This year it’s only Barbara and I playing in the Dolomites, and so I thought it would be a great time, after we cancelled our trip across via ferrata Berti, to introduce Barbara to possibly one of the best via ferratas anywhere: ferrata Tomaselli!We’re on the first cable car from Passo Falzarego to Lagazuoi, and set off on the path which leads to the start of the via ferrata as soon as we get to the top.
At the base of the ferrata, we gear up and then we set off for the very exposed first section. I put a safety rope on Barbara, just in case, but she comes flying across and even has time to pose for a pic! We continue on much easier sections and then finally start on the final difficult section, before climbing the vertical wall section which ends on the top of the peak!
When we get to the top Barbara has a little meltdown. Tears flow freely after a tense and strenuous climb which left her mentally and physically drained!
When she’s ready, we scramble the short distance to the summit where we have some chocolate and an energy bar…
Then we head off for the descent via ferrata. Barbara is still very unsettled, so we take extra care on the descent! We make it down and shed a few more tears! Then we set off down the scree slope on a path which seems in a lot better condition than I remember it from previous years. Finally we join the marked path which takes us back to the car park – a highway by comparison.
Barbara on the super hard first section Unknown climber on the top vertical section 
Barbara on the middle section Barbara on the top section 
The team on top! The final ramp…
Meltdowns on climbs are something that every climber will be familiar with. I have fallen off climbs on numerous occasions over the years. Sometimes because I had a moment of panic, or doubt in my ability. Other times because I was tired, stressed out, or whatever. I have even stood at the bottom of climbs, having walked for two days or more to get there, and then decided I’m not ready for this climb, not on this day. It happens to all of us. We come back from it with a resolve to get it done right next time!
Definitely not the perfect mountain day I had hoped for, but one which we’ll learn from.
Footnote
As I’m writing this we’re sitting in a rifugio at the foot of Monte Civetta, hoping that the weather tomorrow will favour us and on this fourth attempt we will be able to reach the summit of this magnificent peak, the sixth highest in the Dolomites!
