Climbing routes (Mountaineering)
We are glad to suggest you some of the many climbing routes starting from our hut. Enjoy your reading
GRAN SERZ 3552 m.
Start: Vittorio Sella hut 2588 m.
Drop: 964 m.
Time of ascent: 4 hs
Difficulty: PD (table of degree of difficulties)
Equipment: rope, ice-axe, crampons
Best period: June-September
LA GRIVOLA 3969 m.
Start: Vittorio Sella hut 2588 m.
Drop: 1381 m.
Time of ascent: 5-6 hs
Difficulty: PD (table of degree of difficulties)
Equipment: rope, ice-axe, crampons
Best period: July-Septembe
GRAN PARADISO 4.061 m.
Start: Vittorio Sella hut 2.588 m.
Drop: 1st day 1530 m - 2nd day from bivouac Grappein (9 beds) 3200 m.
Time of ascent: 1st day 6hs - 2nd day 4,30hs
Difficulty: PD (table of degree of difficulties)
Equipment: rope, ice-axe, crampons
Best period: July-September
GRAN SERZ 3552 m.
Start: Vittorio Sella hut 2588 m.
Drop: 964 m.
Time of ascent: 4 hs
Difficulty: PD (table of degree of difficulties)
Equipment: rope, ice-axe, crampons
Best period: June-September
This is the most accessible top from the Vittorio Sella hut and that's why it represents a classic excursion. Situated on the crest dividing the Cogne valley from the Valsavarenche, it offers a first-rate scenic view and its easy rocks leading to the top characterize an easy and enjoyable ascent.
From the hut, across the stream and up to the shaped basins leading to the Lauson Glacier. The excursion continues on the left and up to a brief canal leading to the ridge dividing the Lauson gorge from the Gran Val. Along this ridge to the Gran Val glacier. Afterwards, to the foot of the northern ridge rocks. After the ascent on these rocks to a neck, turn on the left and, by an enjoyable climb on big blocks of gneiss, to the top!
From the hut, across the stream and up to the shaped basins leading to the Lauson Glacier. The excursion continues on the left and up to a brief canal leading to the ridge dividing the Lauson gorge from the Gran Val. Along this ridge to the Gran Val glacier. Afterwards, to the foot of the northern ridge rocks. After the ascent on these rocks to a neck, turn on the left and, by an enjoyable climb on big blocks of gneiss, to the top!
LA GRIVOLA 3969 m.
Start: Vittorio Sella hut 2588 m.
Drop: 1381 m.
Time of ascent: 5-6 hs
Difficulty: PD (table of degree of difficulties)
Equipment: rope, ice-axe, crampons
Best period: July-Septembe
This is one of the most beautiful mountains of the Alps, and thanks to its pyramidal shape it can be recognized from every side. The Italian poet Giosuč Carducci called it "l'ardua Grivola bella", i.e. "the arduous beautiful Grivola". The toponym of this mountain seems to come from the French-Provenįal patois term "grivolina", meaning "young girl", just like another famous mountain, the Jungfrau.
From the hut on the left side of the stream. Leave the fork to the Colle della Rossa on the right, at 2844 m, turn on the right along narrow hairpins leading to the shaped basins keeping the rests of the Rossa Glacier. From here, an oblique canal is visible on the left and it goes up to the path leading to the Colle della Nera, 3.491 meters.
The Grivola is clearly visible from the pass. Then, across the flat Trajo Glacier south-west, paying attention to the crevasses, to the rift at the foot of the wall's middle. Here, two canals are visible: choose the left one characterized by steep rocks but with easy holds, staying in the sideboard and not in the centre. At the half of this canal, go across to the right as far as the sideboard of the following canal, up to a shoulder of the east-north-east crest. From here, along the ridge and easily to the top. the northern ridge rocks. After the ascent on these rocks to a neck, turn on the left and, by an enjoyable climb on big blocks of gneiss, to the top!
From the hut on the left side of the stream. Leave the fork to the Colle della Rossa on the right, at 2844 m, turn on the right along narrow hairpins leading to the shaped basins keeping the rests of the Rossa Glacier. From here, an oblique canal is visible on the left and it goes up to the path leading to the Colle della Nera, 3.491 meters.
The Grivola is clearly visible from the pass. Then, across the flat Trajo Glacier south-west, paying attention to the crevasses, to the rift at the foot of the wall's middle. Here, two canals are visible: choose the left one characterized by steep rocks but with easy holds, staying in the sideboard and not in the centre. At the half of this canal, go across to the right as far as the sideboard of the following canal, up to a shoulder of the east-north-east crest. From here, along the ridge and easily to the top. the northern ridge rocks. After the ascent on these rocks to a neck, turn on the left and, by an enjoyable climb on big blocks of gneiss, to the top!
GRAN PARADISO 4.061 m.
Start: Vittorio Sella hut 2.588 m.
Drop: 1st day 1530 m - 2nd day from bivouac Grappein (9 beds) 3200 m.
Time of ascent: 1st day 6hs - 2nd day 4,30hs
Difficulty: PD (table of degree of difficulties)
Equipment: rope, ice-axe, crampons
Best period: July-September
This is the highest completely Italian top and the most coveted "4.000" of the Alps. The easy access from Valsavarenche allows the baptism of 4.000 m. of altitude to many alpine climbers, while the itinerary from Valnontey, even though not particularly difficult, gives the high mountain terrain's experts the opportunity for knowing the spectacular resort of the Tribolazione Glacier.
1st day: from Valnontey to the Erfaulet bridge and then to a well indicated fork. Follow the path on the left and to the right of the little stream, towards the crest of a moraine starting from the rampart's shelf. Continue to the grassy hummock called Barma des bouquetins (2.689 m.) and then to a rocky hummock. Follow the relief leading to a snowfield and at its end, on the left, you can see an inviting ledge. Go as far as its end and then up to the left to the traces of a path. Go to the right in order to reach a subsidence. Moreover, continue to the opposite side and up to a glacial shaped basin within two spurs. Cross diagonally rightwards the shaped basin to reach a clearly visible canal made of rocks and dirt. Go beyond this obstacle to the ramparts' top where the Pol bivouac is situated, at 3.183 m. (6 beds), and then to the Gerard-Grappein bivouac.
2nd day: from the bivouac up to the Tribolazione Glacier south-east, passing close to the rocks at 3.361 meters. After to have reached the glacier's upper elevated plain, continue at the base of the mountainside substaining the Cresta Gastaldi and then to the glacial passage going up to the Colle dell'Ape, 3.869 meters. Afterwards, up to the eastern crest of the Roc (4.027 m.) and, almost at its end, move rightwards to enter the runnel of the Colle Vaccarone, rather easily reachable. From the pass down to the Grand Pradis' glacier and then towards the top along the normal way of Valsavarenche, up from the Vittorio Emanuele II and Federico Chabod huts.
1st day: from Valnontey to the Erfaulet bridge and then to a well indicated fork. Follow the path on the left and to the right of the little stream, towards the crest of a moraine starting from the rampart's shelf. Continue to the grassy hummock called Barma des bouquetins (2.689 m.) and then to a rocky hummock. Follow the relief leading to a snowfield and at its end, on the left, you can see an inviting ledge. Go as far as its end and then up to the left to the traces of a path. Go to the right in order to reach a subsidence. Moreover, continue to the opposite side and up to a glacial shaped basin within two spurs. Cross diagonally rightwards the shaped basin to reach a clearly visible canal made of rocks and dirt. Go beyond this obstacle to the ramparts' top where the Pol bivouac is situated, at 3.183 m. (6 beds), and then to the Gerard-Grappein bivouac.
2nd day: from the bivouac up to the Tribolazione Glacier south-east, passing close to the rocks at 3.361 meters. After to have reached the glacier's upper elevated plain, continue at the base of the mountainside substaining the Cresta Gastaldi and then to the glacial passage going up to the Colle dell'Ape, 3.869 meters. Afterwards, up to the eastern crest of the Roc (4.027 m.) and, almost at its end, move rightwards to enter the runnel of the Colle Vaccarone, rather easily reachable. From the pass down to the Grand Pradis' glacier and then towards the top along the normal way of Valsavarenche, up from the Vittorio Emanuele II and Federico Chabod huts.