In reply to Mark Glaister - Assistant Editor:
> No snow to speak of on via Ferrara
Even the couloir on the bochette Alte?
but we found an axe/pole and spikes (not crampons) useful on the snow slopes to approach and descend from the boccas (cols) where the Ferrara's begin.
Agreed, especially first thing in the morning when the glissading tracks from the previous day are frozen solid.