It’s the first of July and usually there is a queue for breakfast at the Rifugio Coldai, with climbers in a hurry to reach the Via Ferrata degli Alleghesi first... but we are alone today! Last Winter left too much snow on the mountain and apart from myself and Jan a few weeks ago (in winter alpine style) we do not know of anyone else who's been up recently.
A good sleep at the mountain hut leads to a steady approach of 1,30 hours on the Sentiero Tivan path crossing numerous snowfields (fortunately soft). At 8:30 am ...still no one at the start of the via ferrata... only a warm sun and us four geared up to start the long progression towards the summit.
2 hours of vertical climb to Punta Civetta at 2920m. where again we overcome snow by making a good track, followed by 10 metres to the Col which leads us to the traverse. We ignore in silence the arrival of an uncertain or teasing sky until a second snowfield at the height of Punta Tissi. Here we need to rope up to secure our minds distracted by fatigue and altitude.
The rest of the via ferrata is snow-free and we reach the summit at 12:30, OLE!
The weather remains stable but the large grey clouds continue growing. We decide to have "lunch" at the Rifugio Torrani (still closed) but soon a gentle snow shower warns us it's time to leave the top of the mountain.
During all the descent and in particular below the Rifugio Torrani more snowfields make the progress dangerous, but we descent carefully by making a good track without the need to wear our crampons.
Arrival at Malga La Grava at 5 pm, rewarded by a well-deserved ice cream in Dont, maybe the best in the world...???
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