Page 28 - 2019 AMA Summer

EXPEDITIONNEWS
the valleys below. The ‘five towers’ are something of a alpinism training ground, being used for everything from small kids on single-pitch, to friendly multi-pitch, up to cutting edge sport and trad test pieces, which give a great ‘look forward to’. Indoor climbing was conducted at Cortina 360, which was a good facility for indoor climbing (with a massive roof!). That completed the range of facilities needed to deliver a great Foundation course!
Looking to the more advanced objectives, this is where the Dolomites region comes in to its own. The multi-pitch routes in the area can be as long, tough and exposed as you like, or equally they can be amenable
and accessed from the roadside. Routes of 800m at UK Severe can be found for the right team! Objectives for the multi-pitch climbers were classic climbs mostly around grade IV (roughly UK Severe). The steep pitches and exposure got some people right into the stretch zone – and managing students in this terrain also got the instructors earning their money! The Vajolet Towers were an absolute highlight, with massive exposure and a stunning finish onto one of the Dolomites’ most recognisable summits.
This region was a major conflict zone during WW1 and our trekkers made the most of the opportunity to get around
the trenches, tunnels and barbed wire which punctuate the landscape. Routes range from quick strolls up to multi-day expeditions, with hut-to-hut link-ups being popular. For the right teams, this is also a great way to take in the rich sights, geology and flora and fauna of the area.
In all, a fantastic exped for Army Air Corps mountaineers, in a brilliant location. The food, culture and scenery are a brilliant backdrop for the world-class mountain- eering on offer. The Dolomites are highly recommended and much more useful info can be found in the PXR.
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