Guidebook to the via ferrata routes of the southern Italian Dolomites. This guide covers via ferrata routes in the major mountain ranges of Civetta, Schiara and Pala as well as those to the west in the Brenta. A significant addition (and, as far as we are aware, not previously published in any English language guidebook) is the inclusion of routes around the northern end of Lake Garda and the Piccole Dolomites north of Vicenza. Here the mountains are generally lower and you can enjoy ferrata climbing over a much extended season, with some routes accessible for most of the year. This is the second in a series of two guidebooks to the via ferratas of the Italian Dolomites. (Volume One covers the eastern, northern and central areas of the Dolomites, while Volume Two completes the picture, focusing on the southern, Brenta and Lake Garda areas.)
Inhoudsopgave
CONTENTS
Route Listing
Key to Diagrams
Preface
INTRODUCTION
How to use this Guide
Route Groupings
When to Go
Travel to the Dolomites
Accommodation
Local Transport
Telephones
Map Availability and Place Names
Weather
Route Grading
Equipment
Cable Etiquette
What to Wear?
Accidents and Mountain Rescue
Some History
Geology
Flora
Wildlife
ROUTES AND BASES
Bolzano
Valle di Primiero and San Martino di Castrozza
Agordino
Belluno
Bassano del Grappa
Vicenza
Brenta
Trento
Riva, Lake Garda
Rovereto
APPENDIX 1: Glossary of Mountain Terms
APPENDIX 2: Index of Routes in Grade Order
APPENDIX 3: Index of Routes by Mountain Group
APPENDIX 4: Mountain Rescue
APPENDIX 5: Useful Addresses
APPENDIX 6: Bibliography
Over de auteur
Although John has a great love of travel, walking and climbing mountains around the world, he moved to Leeds over 30 years ago and has a firmly rooted base in beautiful Wharfedale in Yorkshire. Having said that he is a member of the Fell and Rock Climbing Club in the Lakes and “compleating” the Munros has spent many splendid mountain days in Scotland.
His first visit to the Dolomites was not until 1998 when he fell in love with the spectacular mountains, culture and Via Ferratas. John talked himself and Marion into jobs working with a fledgling Colletts Mountain Holidays spending two full summers in Arabba. In ticking off VF routes with a growing passion, he recognised the need for an up to date English language guidebook and also found that many routes existed which were not printed at all in English. A friendship with Graham and Meg Fletcher led to the guidebook writing project for Cicerone Press. Even though a lot of hard work was involved, the project was really rewarding; researching the routes and working with Graham was a shared labour of love with many enjoyable and exciting days in the Dolomites.
As well as re-visiting favourite VF routes, a continuing love affair with Italy has led John and Marion to spend time in the Sibillini mountains (Umbria) and Gran Sasso (Abruzzo). Further research considered the possibilty of another VF book covering the far north eastern corner of Italy, the Carnia / Julian Alps. Although several good routes were climbed in the area John decided not to take on any further guidebook work and now leads walking holidays with HF Holidays and has plenty of ideas for new personal mountain travels. (However much you do, there’s always plenty of new things out there waiting.)