Paterno NW ridge

Dolomites/Bolzano Alto Adige, Italy, Europe

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Paternkofel/Monte Paterno
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Paterno NW ridge

Page Type:	Route
Lat/Lon:	46.62571°N / 12.31444°E
Route Type:	Trad Climbing
Season:	Summer
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Overview

Paterno NW ridge

Monte Paterno 2744 m, belonging to the Dolomiti di Sesto and located just in front of the much more famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, is a popular mountain in reason of the existence of different itineraries with facilities (fixed iron ropes), including the Via Ferrata De Luca - Innerkofler, Via delle Forcelle and the Normal Route through Forcella Passport, all allowing to reach the top without real difficulty. Another motive of the high attendance of the mountain is the spectacular panorama over Tre Cime di Lavaredo, right in front, and the surrounding Dolomites groups, in addition Paterno has a great historical importance, as the mountain during the Great War was located right on Italian-Austrian border, with numerous remnants of the Great War, including some several tunnel carved in the rock. Another beautiful and interesting itinerary to get the summit is the route running along the North-West ridge, involving a medium grade rock climbing (IV UIAA) and stunning views.

Getting There

Road access

Lavaredo Southern side from Lago di Misurina

The closest village is Misurina m. 1752, lying on the shores of the homonym lake, which can be approached from Trento or Bolzano following the Brennero Motorway - exit Bressanone - and then taking the Val Pusteria road to Dobbiaco; in Dobbiaco leave the main Pusteria road and take on the right the road entering Val di Landro, reaching Carbonin mt. 1432 and Misurina. The Lavaredo group can be approached also from Belluno via Longarone, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Passo Tre Croci. From Misurina a private toll–road (23 euros) leads to Auronzo Hut m. 2330, situated at the road’s end in an amazing position below Tre Cime di Lavaredo South faces. Parking.

Route Description

North-West Ridge, Via Bolte-Wolf

Summit altitude: m 2744

Difficulty: UIAA IV+ max

Length: 225 m + 100 m on the summit crest, 9 pitches

Exposure: North-West

First ascent: H. Bolte and W. Wolf 1930

Tre Cime Northern walls view from Forcella Lavaredo

A good panoramic climb running along the NW ridge of Paterno, the left one when looking at the wall from Forcella Lavaredo. Classic and pleasant route on good rock with equipped belays and some pegs along the pitches.

Walking approach

From Rifugio Auronzo 2320 m walk on a dirty road to Rifugio Lavaredo 2344 m and from here up to Forcella Lavaredo 2454 m. Take the gravel road towards Rifugio Locatelli-Innerkofler and turn immediately right into a path that crosses the scree keeping high above the gravel road. The path crosses two spurs of rock and reachs the perpendicular of a rocky gully, that high above the path gets the base of NW ridge, leading to the starting point of the route.

Here you leave the main trail exiting rightward along poor tracks on a steep slope of gravel and grass, becoming gradually more obvious until you join the high gully in the upper part. Climb the rocks in the gully, reaching a small terrace between a boulder and a small pinnacle just at the starting of the route (1 and a half hour from Rif. Auronzo). Sling inside a hole at the start.

The stunning Tre Cime di Lavaredo seen from Paterno NW ridge

L1 - Climb the spur directly above the stop, reach a ledge and stop III, 35 m (2 pegs belay)

L2 – To the right of the belay climb a corners-system and flakes to a small shoulder on the ridge , IV, 25 m (belay on an outcrop).

L3 – Climb a narrow chimney (2 pegs and a hole) getting a small platform on the edge of the ridge. Climb a steep grey wall and belay on a ledge, IV, 45 m IV (belay on 3 pegs)

L4 – Directly above the belay climb a small overhang, then a fine wall with good holds and the steps along the ridge, IV, 35 m (belay on 2 pegs)

Laghi dei Piani seen from Paterno summit

L5 – A small dihedral and a fine wall lead to a belay under a yellow and steep wall, 20 m IV and III, 20 m (belay on 2 pegs)

L6 – Slanting left on good grey rock turn the edge and climb a fine wall, then returning right on the ridge and belay below another yellow wall IV-, 50 m (belay on 2 pegs).

L7 – Towards right some meters on a small ledge, then climb directly a beautiful grey wall (2 pegs) reaching a summit crest IV, III, 25 m (belay on an outcrop).

L8/9 – Two easy pitches on the crest with outcrops, then on a scree gully lead to the summit with a big wooden cross and plate in memory of Sepp Innerkofler, I and II, 90 m, (belay on outcrops).

Plaque on Paterno in memory of Sepp Innerkofler

Forcella dei Camosci and Croda dei Toni back on the right

Descent: along the Normal route to Forcella Camosci and Forcella Passaporto

From the summit head to the opposit direction (SE) along a well worn path, then downclimb an easy rock step equipped with fixed ropes, getting Forcella del Camoscio. To return to Forcella Lavaredo descend rightward along a steep trail on a scree slope, then rightwards again follow the beautiful trail along Croda Passaporto war caves and exposed ledges (some fixed ropes), reaching Forcella Passaporto and then Forcella Lavaredo.