UKH

We've had an excellent start to winter in the Dolomites with early storms and snow at all levels.

So I thought I'd post up some information from Corvara and the routes there, Spada della Damocles and Onda Su Onda. Both are superb routes with Onda being a very amenable WI 3+ and 4 pitches long. Spada is a WI 5 and and excellent 5.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/489385181118747/permalink/1631490700241517/

The routes in the Serrai di sottoguda are beginning to form, but being at a lower altitude aren't there yet, but it's a promising start especially when compared to the last couple of years!

https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=7253

We've also seen several high level ascents at the Tomorrows World cave (not that those need conditions!) with Angi Rainer on Tomorrows world and french strong man Jeff Mercier visiting us and making a repeat of several D14 lines. If you would like any information, just drop me a line. We have James Rushforth hosting at the house this year who has a knowledge second to none of the whole area.

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

Typical .... This year it decides to come in strong!

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

Voi avete avuto molto aqua quest'autonno? Noi altri ne abbiamo avuto poco nella Vallee de l'Ubaye vicino al Piemonte. Torno a case per il capodanno ma senza piccozze perque non c'è ghiccia dovunque!
Le vie sulle photo sono veramente bellissime! Grazie mostrarcele (non mi ricordo se è possibile dirlo, meglio averci mostrarle?)

In reply to French Erick:

Haha - I'm english. But yes there has been good snowfall so far. The routes above Colfosco are super nice routes - really imposing with about a 40 minute walk in through the woods. It seems there has been a lot of activity through out the Dolomites and the central alps. My neighbour has been ski touring aswell several times so it's a really promising situation! This is what it looks like when it's a nice day and it's fully formed:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=spada+di+damocle+colfosco&client=fire...

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

Hey, there, Mr Casa Alfredino. I live in Montebelluna, about 2 hours south of you.
I came right by your place yesterday to do a ski tour from Malga Ciapela...Forca Rossa. I'm quite often up and around your area, so if you or any of your guests fancy getting out for a ski tour, often in the company of Italian friends (and usually followed by Prosecco and Panettone!), drop me a line! It'll be good to hook up with some other Brits. I can usually get out midweek most weeks, as well as once at the weekends.

In reply to Kean:

Hey Kean, ^^^ is me - James and his partner Katie at the house this year so I'm sure he will be looking for playmates some of the time! I'll be over for Christmas for 6 days worth of play time - let me know if you're about!

In reply to beardy mike:

Hi there...sounds good...I'll be around over Christmas so hopefully we can meet up then for a ski tour...or we just skip straight to the Prosecco and Panettone!

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

The snows continued falling over the Dolomites and the Serrai is beginning to form well. The gorge is at around 1300m so higher areas will be well on their way by now. Here are some pics from local climbers who have been in the gorge today.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/489385181118747/permalink/1636862869704300/

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

Hi guys. So I've been out at the house over Christmas. What can I say - literally the best season start in the 5 years we've owned the place. The ice falls are all fat for the tim of year and the snow is simply sublime - after Christmas we had a 0.5m fall in the valley which much more up top, and the other day there was a further 15cm with more forecast this week. Its really looking to be one of the best winters for a long time. In the Serrai di Sottoguda, with the notable ommision of Spada nella Roccia, all the lines are there this year, including some which rarely form. Colfusco icefalls have seen many ascents but due to the snow, it's now only accessible by ski or snowshoe and you'd be risking avalanche from above the falls. Val di Gares has also been seeing many ascents and as I drove back to the airport to come home, the 0 thermobar was way down by Belluno and beyond, which means if it stays like this the falls in the lower Agordino Valley will form and there will be huge numbers of routes to go at!

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

Also, if you can read some Italian, or just like looking at some daft pics, check out this French winter ascent of the Civetta NW face by the Solleder Lettenbauer : http://www.planetmountain.com/it/notizie/alpinismo/dolomiti-invernale-franc...

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

Thanks for the excellent update on conditions.

Interested parties:- I'm looking for a climbing partner in Sottoguda for Jan 20 - 27 (see entry in lifts and partners forum)

In reply to Pay Attention:

Here you go - a pic from Snow-forecast.com. Sometimes a bit optimistic but they've been on the money the last couple of falls.

https://www.facebook.com/casaalfredino/photos/a.756887361049623.1073741834....

In reply to Casa Alfredino:
Thank you for the update Casa Alfredino

I've used the Norwegian site Yr.No for Malga Ciapela just up the way.

https://www.yr.no/place/Italy/Veneto/Malga_Ciapela/long.html

It seems that there is a lot of snow on the way for Monday and Tuesday. After that it stabilises and the temperature drops to -4 to -6.
I will be out next week for the first of my visits to Sottoguda.

In reply to Pay Attention:

Don't forget that there's lots outside the gorge too. Casscata Digonera, La Grazie in Caprile, Cascata Moe, Val di Gares, Val corpassa and Mezzocanale should all be in good form.

In reply to Casa Alfredino:
I don't know about those. I won't have my own transport next week. Do you have a link to those other routes?
Ah - found some of 'em!

Caprile : https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=22305#maps
Diagonera : https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=22275#maps

In reply to Pay Attention:

Just been for a look at caprile after skiing. Its complete but looks well chandiliered on the steep bit, so would maybe be better after filling out some more but probably climbable at the moment.

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

So the latest from Italy. Obviously there has been huge amounts of snow all across the alps, the Dolomites included. The Skiing conditions are now the best they have been for years, and more amenable than the western alps as we've seen more modest amounts of snow than for example Chamonix. As a result, our hosts James Rushforth and Katie Keeley have been ski touring in earnest. Take a look here and you'll see some snaps of free-ride on Marmolada, and touring at Passo San Pellegrino and Passo Giau. 

Of course this has made accessing ice climbing a little more troublesome - ski's and snowshoes seem to be the order of the day, as is avoiding venues with little tree cover above like Colfosco. That said, the Serrai di Sottoguda is in great shape with ascents being recorded regularly!

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

James just posted some photos showing the truely dismal freeride conditions on his facebook page...

https://www.facebook.com/JamesRushforth1/posts/10102287472434313

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

Damn it I forgot to post a link to the other pics!

https://www.facebook.com/casaalfredino/posts/1785998664805149

And just incase...

https://www.facebook.com/casaalfredino/posts/1786114664793549

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

A few photos from an excellent day on Monte Pelmo: https://www.facebook.com/JamesRushforth1/posts/10102290172198963?notif_id=1... 

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

Any update on conditions, especially ice routes?

 

Thanks