Cima Avostanis/Blaustein

Introduction

Cima Avostanis provides many wonders one might look for in the mountains, all wrapped very close and not to hard to reach.
Located in the Carnic Alps, right on the border with Austria cima Avostanis is a perfect terrace on the austrian peaks after the border.
On a clear day from the surrounding hills it is possible to stretch the view up to the most imposing peaks in the western Julian Alps: Jof di Montasio and Jof fuart.

Getting There

Take the A23 highway and take the exit to Carnia. Continue on the stada statale S.S. 52Bis, in direction of Monte Croce Carnico, until you reach the fraction of Timau called Cleulis.
Here, on the side of the bar Pacai, take via Martiri di Pramosio and continue on it up to Malga Pramosio where you must park. The rest of the way, about one and a half hours, is done walking on the easy and well kept trail that brings to lake Pramosio. Just above the lake is the crag.
Near the lake there is a free hut where it is possible to sleep.

The Great War

During the WWI, the fighting front between Italian and Austrian troops ran right through the ridge and peaks surrounding Avostanis and Creta di Timau.
Actually,the italian front of general Cadorna ran right through cima Avostanis. Italian troops constantly present on this line of combat were never less than ten thousand men, and battles were fierce.

It is from this area, from Timau and Paluzza, that the famous "portatrici carniche" came.
They were the women from the towns in the valley, that would bring food, medications and anything else that might be needed to the men that were fighting. Transportation was done mostly by foot, and on a daily basis these women would supply all that was necessary to the men by taking it on their backs.


The whole area around the summit of cima Avostanis is still covered in signs of those days. Bunkers and trenches dig through the grassy fields, and rusty barbed wire and contorted metallic wastes are a common sight.
While in some areas these witnesses of war have been restored and maintained, on cima Avostanis the feeling is that of discovering a forgotten corner, where everything is still as it was abandoned.

hiking

From the parking lot of casera Pramosio, a well beaten trail, actually more of a mountain road brings to the lake and to casera Pramosio alta. it is a pretty easy and not too long, although it requires good legs and breath for about 1/1.5 hours walking.
The lake is in a natural basin, surrounded by grassy hills on most sides, except to the north, where a 100 mt limestone wall seems to rise from it's shores.
It is possible to swim in the lake in summer, and many people stop here to enjoy the sun, the views and the water.
Behind the casera, the trail continues, rising to the right of the big wall, and once above it, an alpine plateau opens, giving views on the valleys in Austria, and giving the hiker the possibility of walking through the plateau towards the Creta di Timau, or the possibility of reaching cima Avostanis that rises just to the right.
From here, a twenty minute walk will take the hiker to the summit with it's wonderful views.
The whole hike to the summit will take about 2/2.5 hours to the summit, but it might be a great idea to stop and sleep at the casera by the lake, taking a day to explore the surroundings.
All trails and directions are well marked.

Climbing

Avostanis offers one of the most spectacular crags in Carnia, with a wonderful quality of rock for great climbing.
there are almost one hundred routes on the big wall near the lake, some multi pitch routes too, that can offer a valid alternative to the trail for who wants to reache the summit of cima Avostanis.

Red Tape

There is no red tape.

Camping

Camping outside of specific areas is forbidden in most of the Alps, but it's not hard to find places to stay.
Casera Pramosio, near the parking lot offers accomodation for a fee, while casera Pramosio alta, by the lake, can give free shelter to about ten people.

External Links

Info on how to get there, when to climb, pictures of the rock, and maps of the routes can be found here:
Climbing in Avostanis

A relation on the via DeInfanti, an easy but very nice multi-pitch route can be found here:
via DeInfanti

Images

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