Monte Cimone / Strma pec is one of the most important and impressive summits of Western Julian Alps (don't confuse this Monte Cimone with the one in Apenines). It stands in the main crest of Vis and Montaz group, between the valleys of Dogna/Dunja (on the north) and Raccolana/Reklanica on the south. It is the highest elevation in the whole strong crest going from Montaz towards west. While on the south side the summit has steep grassy slopes, on the northern side a high vertical drop falls many hundreds meters down to the 'Sfonderat' (bottomless) gorge. Towards west of Monte Cimone / Strma pec the main crest soon divides into many side ones - the world ow wild and hardly ever ascended peaks. Towards east a steep ridge falls down on Forca di Vandul (notch), 1986m, where the massif of Zabus begins. Close to the main summit on the SE side there's also a fore-summit, called Pizzo Viene, 2124m.

Monte Cimone / Strma pec is a summit for everyone. It can be hiked-up by one of the two ferratas, those, who want to discover unknown mountain slopes on the western side there's plenty of room for discoveries and for technical climbers the north wall offers some nice routes.

From the summit we have one of the greatest views of the Western Julian Alps. Especially rewarding is the view on Montaz west face and the wilderness below it, contrasted with the free view over lower mountains and fore-hills far towards south-west.

The first tourist ascent on Monte Cimone / Strma pec was done in 1878 by Hermann Findenegg. He came by the today's normal route - from SE and over Forca di Vandul.

Getting There

For the general orientation see the Julian Alps group page and the Vis and Montaz subgroup page!

Vis and Montaz subgroup

For the southeast ascent we drive from Sella Nevea on the Altipiano del Montasio, till the last parking place, 1502m.
Fort the north approach you drive into Dogna valley.

Routes Overview

Hikes and Ferratas

1. From Pecol meadows. We start on the Pecol road end parking place, 1520m, or from Rif. Brazza (hut), 1660m. Going westwards we cross the Altipiano del Montasio, continue over the south slopes of Monte Zabus, ascend Forcella di Vandul, and again towards west over the ridge between Pizzo Vienne and Monte Cimone / Strma pec the highest point. 3h 30min. The variant of this route continues below Forcella di Vandul towards west and ascends the ridge between Pizzo Vienne and Monte Cimone / Strma pec through the valley above Pala del Larice meadows. 4h 30min.

2. Ferrata Norina. From the road in Dogna/Dunja valley to bivouac Cividale (2h 30min). Then crossing the north face of Monte Cimone / Strma pec to the exposed grassy ridge, where the ferrata starts. The route is hard, but pegs and cables are in good condition. It ends on Sella Vienne, from where we ascend the summit. 1840m of altitude, some 7h only for ascent!

Red Tape

No limitations.

When To Climb

Summer and autumn months are the best. In these areas the weather is most stable from July till October. A winter ascent from SE requires full winter equipment and must be hard enough.

Camping

On the mountain there are two bivouacs. On the ex alpine meadow Sotgoliz, 1414m, below the northern face, there's the bivouac Cividale, 1415m (2h 30min from the road in Dogna/Dunja valley). The ascent path starts after some 4 km of Dogna/Dunja road. The other bivouac is Sandro del Torso, standing on the very top of the mountain.

The nearest mountain hut is Rif. Brazza, 1670m, 0432-797079. It is standing on the Altipiano del Montasio.15 min from the parking place.

Miscellaneous Info

When we ascended Monte Cimone / Strma pec I had only a video camera with me. So, as you see, good pictures on this page are lacking. Your contribution is warmly welcomed.

If you have information about this mountain that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.

Images



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