In Abruzzo the Apennines show their side “dolomitic”, the mountain is imposing, rugged rock that lends itself to the passion of climbers, the routes are varied and infinite. And when you get up there, your gaze is free to wander from the mountains to the plateaus to the sea.
The Gran Sasso massif, on the eastern ridge of the Abruzzo Apenninesit is made up limestone rockamong the most suitable for fans of sport climbing and bouldering. The panorama is varied and the climbing routes draw a very dense map. The rock world includes the via ferrata Brizio and via ferrata Ventricinithe Sentiero del Centenario and the Ferrata Danesi, the routes on the Corno Grande and the Corno Piccolo and numerous other itineraries.
Two Horns, a thousand itineraries
Whatever your choice, the experience is not complete without exploration of the Corno Grande and Corno Piccolo, with grandiose and spectacular walls from a landscape point of view. The Corno Grande, with its 2,912 metersis the highest peak of the Gran Sasso, as well as of the Apennines, and the Conca del Calderone on which it stands is the southernmost glacier in Europe.
Here, as on the smaller brother Corno, the climbing and mountaineering itineraries are of all types and all difficulties and it is possible to access the departures both from the North and the South. The scenery will not leave you indifferent: white and pink walls, sharp ridges and overhanging cracks. You will be able to admire the surrounding peaks and, on clear days, also the plateau of Rocche and Campo Imperatore, the Maiella and Terminillo, the Monti della Laga and the chain of Sibillini, Lake Campotosto. From afar the Adriatic seain the stretches between San Benedetto del Tronto and Vasto.
Little Tibet
Many of the Gran Sasso routes start from the town of Campo Imperatore, a place not to be missed. A plateau between 1,500 and 2,100 meters above sea level that the great orientalist and mountaineer Fosco Maraini defined the Little Tibet, for the similarity with the extraordinary scenarios seen in the Asian country. Here we are inside the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, where access is guaranteed all year round from the Gran Sasso cable car, essential in winter when snow prevents travel by car. You walk in the territory dotted with lakes and you also meet a astronomical observatory equipped with a powerful telescope to look at the sky up close. The Vincenzo Rivera Alpine Botanical Garden it is for lovers of the particular mountain flora. L’complete ring around the plateau is the longest in Italy: 300km.
Face to face with chamois, voles and falcons
In these parts it is not uncommon to come across some specimens of Apennine chamois, a protected species which thanks to protection has recently been able to repopulate. Observe them in silence, so as not to frighten them and cause them to flee. In summer the chamois searches for them high altitude grasslands, but in winter, when the snow is abundant, you will see it descend towards the woods. While you climb the rocks you may have a companion as your companion.snow vole and the mammal will follow you to the bivouacs in search of food. And if you look up, you will spot hawks, rock partridges And alpine choughs. Meetings that constitute an additional reason for fascination, in this wild environment dotted with peaks, woods, waterfalls, lakes and glacial amphitheatres.
Study the route, choose the summer, avoid weekends
Before starting, make sure you have the situation under control, to enjoy an unforgettable climbing in complete safety. So, study your path with scruple and prudencetaking into account that some walls are for very expert practitioners. Ask for information and advice on the streets at the many refuges and bivouacs e privileged the summer to face the walls, especially on weekdays, which are less crowded. At whatever level you are, consult guides and schools, which offer climbing courses for everyone. Pay attention to respect nature, its fauna and flora. Leave no signs of your passage, keeping the environment uncontaminated.
from italia.it
