One of the most active members recently, Raimon Serna, tells his adventure in the Italian Alps, no loss! Thanks Raimon!

Participants: David A, Xavi G, George G. Raymond S. and John B.

Ascent of Mount Cevedale with G. Zebrú fund. Photo of George G

The 5 to the 9 March we visit the Alps, the area of ​​the Stelvio National Park. Take a flight from Barcelona to Milan Malpensa airport and rental car to get to the parking of Rifugio dei Forni from where we climb the Rifugio Cesare Branch. The vol will bé, top spot, baggage goes all in record time. The road from Milan to Santa Caterina Valfurva but we need much more time than the distance (270 km) We did predict. Errors of itinerari out of Malpensa, heavy traffic in a single lane road and had to put chains to access the parking Forni will you come to the shelter at night Branch, when that dinner has already begun, despite having risen foquejant in less than an hour.

As is known in the area of ​​the Stelvio CEGESQUÍ offers many combinations of routes to ski: ascents and descents simple, round and round sleepers days. There is a dense network of shelters on 2000 m very comfortable and peaks over 3000 m with guaranteed snow: Pizzo Tresero 3.554 m, Punta San Matteo 3.678 m, Punta Cadini 3.524 m, Monte Viòz 3.645 m, Palon de la Mare 3.685m, Monte Pasquale 3.553 m, Monte Cevedale 3.769 m … The whole valley, glaciers and peaks are spectacular views and the "King" is the Konig Spitze (Gran Zebru 3.851 m). This time, but, the promise of snow quality is not met. Every day we have very hard or crusted snow skiing, wind and frost, with all kinds of ripples shaped by wind, which tests the legs and criteria for site selection step. The sections with snow "ski" are few and have to choose and take as much as we can.

The cause of the disorder is the wind in the snow, began to blow a few days before our arrival and still disturb us and oppresses, especially when we approach the summit ridges. The wind has shaped surfaces less snow slopes that are often defected surfaces comparable to a sea with waves. Moved wind and snow has accumulated and cornices slabs by far are suspected.

Our initial approach by 5 day was the first day up to dinner and sleep in the shelter Branch, the second day made an ascent of the many possibilities from this shelter and returned to the shelter Branch, the third day make the refuge branch crosses through some shelter Pizzini top (Monte Pasquale 3.553 m Mount Cevedale 3.769 m), the fourth day to make the ascent to high Zebru Pizzini refuge from the fifth day and turned the car doing Cime dei Forni ( 3.240 m) during the journey.

The end result to adapt to wind conditions varied slightly:

5/3/15: Parking shelter dei Forni (2.178 m)- Cesare Shelter Branch (2.492 m)

6/3/15: Cesare Shelter Branch (2.492 m) - Bivouac hut F. Meneghello (3.453 m)

We make a serious attempt to Punta San Mateo. A little further up the hill we discovered the existence of enduring shelter that had not seen the map and within which ganyipem safe Wind. Attempt the summit without skis along the edge but above the level 3.500 the wind behind us.

Punta San Matteo 3.678. Photo Raymond S.

Ascending towards the tip and fall Cadins. Photo John B.

7/3/15: Cesare Shelter Branch (2.492 m) - Shelter Pizzini Frattola (2.700)- Coll Pale Rosse (3.379 m)

The wind makes when leaving the shelter to make us stop crossing the peaks. Let the shelter Pizzini the bottom of the valley and then climb the Col de Pale Rosse feet past the Grand Zebrú. At this point we have assumed that the next day will not go up, remain pending again. No traces that nobody has risen recently and invited him up. According to a local guide who needed a few days to stabilize the snow. In the afternoon to take practical ARVA, that we discover that we needed, because some do not remember how our equipment or research strategies more effective.

Going to the Great Neck Pale Rosse Zebrù. Photo of George G.

Descent of the Col de Pale Rosse. Fot George G. (Photo 6)

8/3/15: Pizzini Refuge Frattola (2.700)- Monte Cevedale (3.769 m) - Monte Pasquale (3.553)

Going to M. Cevedale a 3.769 m.

Cim of Cedvedale to 3.769 m. Photo John B.

Going to Monte Pasquale. Photo Jordi.G.

Cim at the Monte Pasquale in 3.553 m. Photos de David A. (Photo 10)

Great day, Today we top! The last piece of the edge of Cevedale climb on foot, although it is relatively flat. The summit gives us a splendid view of the Alps, we share a lot of skiers, it seems that today we all come over here. During the descent the most fanatical gang deviate and add the climb to Monte Pasquale.

9/3/15: Pizzini Refuge (2.700), Tops of Ovens (3.240 m) – Parquing Forni (2.178 m)

The last day is overcast but not windy and started the ascent time no light to see the relief, which the irregular surface of the snow is not very motivating. Only motivated make the climb, others decided to go pulling the parking. In past ten we're all in the car to begin the return trip.

The Shelter Branch, very comfortable and well organized, on all input / output. Photo of George G.