Tuesday, 21 May 2019

Climbing at Vollein, Aosta Valley, Italy

I’m leading a climbing expedition to Switzerland this week and arrived in Liddes last night. It’s unseasonally cold and wet. In fact, we were due to stay in a hut above Champery, but the road is still blocked with snow!


It was still damp and drizzley this morning, so after multiple consultations of various weather forecasts, we drove through the Gr St Bernard tunnel to Italy, where the sun was shining and the temperature reached 26 degrees. (it was 6 at our Swiss accommodation!). 


We located the first crag with some difficulty and on reaching it’s base, discovered it swarming with bees! As well as having one student with a severe allergy to bee stings, I didn’t fancy getting too close, so we retreated to try a different place.


Some narrow lane driving, tight turns and vineyard negotiations soon saw us at the correct area, which turned out to be much better. Idyllic in fact. The perfect introduction crag, with great views a grassy base, some shade, some sun and a good range of grades. Best of all were the views though. Snow-capped mountains surrounded us. Stunning. 



Vollein, Aosta Valley:
-          Morgana, 5a
-          Pisolo, 4c
-          Mammolo, 4c
-          Gongolo, 5b
-          Cuccilo, 5b
-          Brontolo, 5b+ 

No comments:

Post a Comment