Overview
Palon de la Mare SW Flank Normal RouteAn easy route to one of the highest peaks of Ortles-Cevedale Group.
This route is the normal way to climb Palon de la Mare, a large and massive peak culminating with a wide ice-cap, covered and surrounded by six glaciers, which in Eastern Alps are taking the name of
“Vedrette”:
Vedretta dei Forni to the South, Vedretta del Palon de la Mare to the SW, Vedretta de la Mare to the NE, Vedretta Rossa to the E, Vedretta del Col de la Mare I to the NNW and Vedretta del Col de la Mare II to NW. The route is usually climbed also by the sky-mountaineers and it’s quite running in upper Valtellina, Sondrio province (western side), while the peak is lying on the boundary ridge between Trento province on North-East side and Sondrio province on South-West. Spectacular and wide summit’s views towards the main peaks of the group.
The mighty Vedretta dei Forni seen from Palon de la Mare SW route
Getting There
ROAD ACCESSThe starting point is the village of Santa Caterina Valfurva m. 1734, situated 12,5 km. from Bormio, an important destination which can be approached from Milan following Valtellina and from Alto-Adige through Stelvio pass. From Santa Caterina a steep road leads to Ghiacciaio dei Forni parking. See more detailed informations about road approach on Palon de La Mare main page.
WALKING APPROACH
From Ghiacciaio dei Forni Hut (parking) m. 2178 a good path starts, heading towards East and crossing Cedec stream. After some steep hairpins the path is reaching the comfortable Branca Hut m. 2493 (1 hour from the parking), overlooking the mighty Vedretta dei Forni and the small Rosole Lake.
SW Flank Normal Route report
SW Flank Normal Route report
Summit altitude: m. 3703
Difficulty: Alpine F
Climbing length: 1200 m.
Exposure: SW
First ascent: Julius Payer, Johann Pinggera and Antonio Chiesa (September 10th 1867) coming down
Starting point: Santa Caterina Valfurva (SO) m. 1734
Hut: Branca Hut m. 2493
An easy and interesting route leading to a superb and panoramic summit.
The only problems are represented late in the summer by the crevasses along the Palon de la Mare glacier and in case of bad weather by the mist along the upper section of the route.
Behind Branca Hut take towards SSE a level trail, crossing a bridge and heading towards the right lateral (orographical) moraine of Forni Glacier; after 10 min. the trail is getting to the moraine and starting to rise steeply along its sharp ridge. At about 2800 m. the trail heads toward left (NE), leading to a scree basin. Climb on the left side a rocky ridge following a well cairned trail and leading to Palon de la Mare glacier’s starting point at about 3000 m. From here there are two chances:
A - Follow the left edge of the glacier (right orographical), becoming more and more steep and leading to the left edge of the “plateau”: This route is usually followed by the sky-mountaineers in spring, where the glacier is snow-covered.
B - Carry on along the easy and well cairned ridge - which was garrisoned by the Austrians during the I World War (even at present several military ruins are visible) – leading to the left edge of the plateau. This route is a good choice late in the summer when the glacier is full of crevasses.
The two different routes join in the left edge of the plateau; cross the glacier towards North (several deep crevasses), then turn to right (SE) and follow the glacier reaching the SW ridge. An easy climb along the ridge leads towards the last summit snow ridge and to the summit.
Descent: following the same route
Essential Gear
Rope, ice-axe,crampons.Red Tape
No particulary restrictions in mountaineering, climbing and hiking; Palon de la Mare, as all Ortles-Cevedale Group, is situated inside Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio, one of the hystorical national parks in Italy, belonging to the provinces of Trento, Bolzano and Sondrio.Hut
Sunset over Punta San Matteo seen from Branca Hut
Branca Hut m. 2493 C.A.I Sez. di Milano
In the middle of Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio at 2493 mt. is situated the Branca Hut guarded by Alberti/Confortola family, rising in front of the huge Forni Glacier and dominated by S.Matteo (3678 m.), Tresero, (3594 m.), Vioz (3645 m.), Palòn de la Mare (3708 m.) and Cevedale (3769 m.).
...and don't forget to eat the spectacular hut's main course: i Pizzoccheri della Valtellina!!!!
RIFUGIO BRANCA
When to climb
Mountaineering: usually the best period goes from the middle of June to the middle of September.Ski-Mountaineering: from March to May
Meteo
METEO LOMBARDIAMETEO MONTAGNA VALTELLINA
METEO TRENTINO
Guidebooks and Maps
“Ortles Cevedale – Parco nazionale dello Stelvio” by Gino Buscaini (Club Alpino Accademico Italiano) – Collana Guide dei Monti d'Italia CAI-TCI (Club Alpino Italiano-Touring Club Italiano)Map “Ortles-Cevedale”, foglio 72 - Kompass 1:50.000
Images
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