Valley Cragging around Val Gardena

We've sampled a few of the 'lower' altitude crags today, starting with the bolted slabs of 'Frea' up at the Gardena Pass.

Morning Sun over 'Frea'

But not before a quick trip to my new favourite shop - our local bakers - for a morning croissant fix! Located dangerously close to our apartment!

Best bakery in the Dolomites

Once fuelled up on freshly baked good and cereals, we drove over the Sella Pass to Val Gardena to an area called 'Frea', just below the summit of the pass. Last nights storms had really soaked the crag and being almost north facing, they were struggling to dry out.

Wispy Clouds

Undeterred we walked up to the base of the cliff, and eventually, having located ourselves and seeing a route on a dry section of rock we set off up. The climbing is on very pocketed limestone and although our route was dry(ish) all the pockets were full of water!

View from the Belay

The temperature was also much lower than previous days and the technical style of climbing did not lend itself well to having cold finger tips! The rock was also pretty steep for what was described as a 'slab'! We got a decent way up the cliff, before we ran out of dry rock, so decided to call it a day and come back once the place had properly dried out.

Steep for slab climbing!

There was a very steep 'path' leading back to the base of the cliff - so steep in fact, it was a climb; but protected with wires at least.

Heading down the fixed wires

We then stopped off near the Sella Pass for some more mellow single pitch routes in the meadow, where we were joined by some of the locals...

Cragside visitor!

A few spots of rain fell, but not enough to put us off until hunger got the better of us and we headed home for a big cook up.

Claudia (5c) 

Frea:
- Two Pitcher 1 (4b,4c)
- Peru 2 (6a)***

Città di Sassi:
- Sector 1 (Michl - Martl Stoan)
- Claudia (5c)*
- Poppi (6b)*
- Helene (5c)