Page 27 - AMA Summer 2024

the head of Lake Garda to stay in an Airbnb. Climb up to the mediaeval castle in the early evening as an introduction to the equipment and process, and dine cheaply at one of the many good pizza places in town. On Sunday, climb Cima Capi, an easy grade 2A with amazing views down over Lake Garda and interesting wartime history (For non-ferrataists, the number grade represents physical difficulty and the letter the overall objective seriousness). Finish off in Riva with a swim in the lake and dinner ‘lakeside.’ As your colleagues in the UK are heading back to the office or tank park, use Monday to climb ‘Ferrata del Centenario SAT’ – an extraordinary route above Riva with real exposure and knock-out views all day; take plenty of drinking water – it’s a long day. For a final valley day, use Tuesday to explore the ‘Sentiero Cinque Cime Attrezzata’ – an excellent grade 2C again with real historical interest; the start point is about an hour from Arco.
On Wednesday, drive North to the castle at Drena for an excellent sport route called ‘Sentiero Rio Sallagoni’ at grade 4A up an enchanting river valley that feels as if a dinosaur will appear at any moment, before driving on North to Maddonna di Campiglio. Park up at the car park at Vallesinella (pre-booking essential) and walk up to the Tuckett hut. Thursday sees you on the Bocchette Alte, moving from Rifugio Tuckett to Rifugio Alimonta along world-class grade 4C terrain in the high Dolomites. Incomparable scenery abounds and groups never fail to be wowed by the exposure and beauty. Friday continues the route South along the Bocchette Alte before a tricky-in-places descent down to the recently modernised (and now super-chic) Brentei hut for a final night in the mountains. Saturday then sees a last breakfast at altitude before a couple of hours’ walk back down to the vehicle and a 2-3 hour drive back to the airport for a return flight to the UK. Variations abound (Cicerone do a 2-part guidebook for via ferrata in the Dolomites; for the routes described here you’ll need volume 2) – but go and explore and you are unlikely to be disappointed.
Groups never fail to be wowed by the exposure and beauty
As for snowshoeing – perhaps I should be more accommodating? I won’t be rushing to try it, but I’m more than happy to coexist and enjoy the mountains together...
Toby on the Bocchette Alte
Ek high above Riva
ARMY MOUNTAINEER › 27