Dolomites: Summer 2005

In late June 2005, 9 UBESters headed out to Italy to tackle the Dolomites using the famous Via Ferrate system. The system was first placed in the war to allow soldiers to quickly traverse the mountain paths, as they didn’t need to place gear. Further routes now exist, many on routes where climbers were fatally injured or favourite routes of others.

The system is made up of wire routes, with bolts every 3 metres and bridges and ladders on more difficult stretches. There is a good variety of technical difficulty and also exposure on routes. You attach yourself using a shock absorbing system and sit harness.

We flew into Venice and then transferred to Cortina, a centre of the Dolomites. On the first day we conquered Col Rosa (2300 metres ish) where we got used to the Via Ferrate technique on an average difficulty route. Going was slower than thought due to the unfamiliar system, however we summitted to a great view, and good spirits. The following day we attempted a similar route up a mountain nearby

During the time we were there we stayed at a campsite near Cortina and walked from there or caught buses out to other areas.

The best day of the trip and one of the highlights of the Via Ferrate system was at the Rio Gerre ridge. We took a series of ski lifts to around 3000m and then traveled along the top of the ridge seeing some amazing views! One of these lifts was a two person capsule where you were stood squashed against your fellow passenger for about 20 minutes!

The ridge was not too technical; however most places were as exposed as the top of Crib Goch in Snowdonia, the advantage of the Via Ferrate was that you could spend more time admiring the view. On the final day, the more experienced climbers completed the most technical route in the area, with the rest of us enjoying the views of the easier routes. Other days included a walk under a waterfall and a day in the local town (thunderstorm day).

During our stay we enjoyed the local cuisine and food, often finding time for wine, pizza and ice cream. The trip included the UBES record setting of the earliest Ice cream, 0725 at a bus station near Venice, set by Andy Stewart and Adam Sheppard (it was 2 hours since breakfast!)

We finished the trip in Venice catching the sights and culture before jetting back to the UK.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip, the variety of levels of routes, weather and scenery was great. I would recommend the area to anyone and as with the rest of the group would love to go back one day.