My favourite Corse mountain
Paglia Orba is - in my opinion - the most interesting hiking mountain on the island of Corse. This summit has a characteristic shape, recogniseable from all directions. The ascent from Col de Vergio is an interesting one. You pass some of the oldest pine trees of the island. At the Bergerie you can buy fresh mountain cheese. There is a nice mountain hut waiting with refreshments below the summit rock. The red summit block offers great rock climbing and is built up by a rare volcanic rock, making Paglia Orba an extravagant geological gem.
Don´t forget the neighbouring Capu Tafunatu with its spectacular hole in the rock.
I climbed Paglia Orba in summer 2007 with some friends, using a different ascent route at the summit block - misled by cairns. Thus we discovered a route, leading through a rock hole, going up a steep rock chimney and squeezing through a huge crack - a no go area for a good developed belly ....
There is an UIAA grade III step involved (!) and an exposed traverse to regain the normal route between the main summit and the western summit.
Our descent was on the normal route, an equal enjoying climb down a series of rock chimneys.
After this experience you can sit on the terrasse of the Refuge Ciottulu di i Mori in the warm evening sun with a glas of wine and a good bite before returning to Col de Vergio.
Comments
Post a Comment