Cima della Vezzana via Canalino del Travignolo

Overview

Cima della Vezzana 3192 m is the highest mountain of the Pale di San Martino Group in the Western Dolomites. It is located near the Passo Rolle, in the North-West sector of the group, next to the most striking Cimon della Pala. It is bordered to the south by the Passo Travignolo 2925 m and to the north by the Passo Val Strut 2870 m. To the West of the mountain there is a wide gully, partly occupied by the Travignolo glacier, which reaches the upper Val Venegia along which it takes place the described route.

Approach

From Trento or Bolzano take the motorway Autobrennero A22, exit “Egna, Ora/Neumarkt, Auer” and continue along the road SS48. Once in Predazzo turn to right onto road SS50 and follow “Passo Rolle” signposts. Stop at the parking place some hundred meters after the pass, where it starts the path to Baita Segantini. From Passo Rolle reach the Baita Segantini 2170 m along a narrow road (and shortcuts along paths). From here, traverse clearly to the right (the trail tracks are obvious in the absence of snow) towards Cimon della Pala. Don't loose too much altitude and cross the basal screes or snowfields to the low exit of the Travignolo Glacier, a wide depression between the Cimon della Pala and the Cima della Vezzana, which on this side falls with high walls.

History

Cima Vezzana was conquered in June 1878 by the English Douglas William Freshfield and Charles Comyns Tucker, who reached the summit from the Travignolo glacier.

Route description

Summit altitude: 3192 m
Difficulty: PD 
Difference in level: 1250 m

In late spring with good quality snow this route offers a profitable climb with ice-axe and crampons, in the majestic and beautiful Dolomite environment. In early Spring it is also a popular ski mountaineering itinerary.

Approach

From Passo Rolle reach the Baita Segantini 2170 m  on an easy road (shortcuts on paths). From here, traverse sharply to the right (on evident traces of trail, in the absence of snow), without losing too much altitude, towards the Cimon della Pala; cross the basal snowfields up to the wide basin between the Cimon della Pala and the Cima della Vezzana, which on this side falls with high walls.

Route report

Climb up the wide snow slopes for about 500 m of difference in level. Pay attention that at the top, in late season, it's possible to find some crevasses open. At about 2700 m the gully becomes steeper. Take the obvious gully on the left, leading to the Passo del Travignolo (200 m at 45°, stretches to 50°). With scarse snow halfway it can emerge a large boulder; it must be passed on the right with a short, steeper passage. Several equipped belay are located on the right facing in.
From the wide Passo del Travignolo at 2925 m of altitude turn to left on easy slopes and then follow on snow or easy rocks the ridge leading to the summit of Cima della Vezzana (summer path, trail n. 716, the summit appears only at the last moment).

Ski-mountaineering

The route can also be a fine ski-mountaineering goal with a highlight: the exciting ascent over the former Travignolo glacier among the vertical walls of Cima Vezzana left and Cimon della Pala right, up to the Passo Travignolo. The difficulty of this trip depends very much on the snow conditions, it's always considered difficult, because of the steepness of the final part below the saddle (up to 50°) and the 3 meters high rock nose, close by the pass, which can be insidious due to snow and ice. Follow the path which leads through the long but marvellous Val Venegia

Continue until the slope from the Passo del Travignolo saddle is visible on the left side

Head towards the saddle and begin the ascent in itself, which now becomes very steep

Arrived at the saddle turn left and continue along the Vezzana Est slopes, gaining easily the summit. The descent is done along the ascent itinerary

Red  Tape

No fees no permits required

Essential Gear

Complete mountaineering equipment, crampons, ice axe, rope

When to climb 

Mountaineering: from May to June
Ski-mountaineering: From March to May

Accomodation

Different kind of accoodation in S. Martino di Castrozza

Meteo

Meteotrentino

Guidebooks and Maps

Pale di S. Martino Ovest" by Lucio De Franceschi - Collana Guide dei Monti d'Italia CAI-TCI