This 11 day meet is designed to whet the tastes of members who wish to sample great Alpine and valley rock climbing in the southern shadow of the Gran Paradiso National Park, north and west of Turin. It will centre on climbing in 4 main areas including:-

1. Machaby Val d’Aosta
Arriving on Wednesday 6th September for 3 nights. Although strictly not in Piemonte, it’s just next door. Planned to stay at hostel Forte di Machaby; demi-pension. Option to camp nearby. The main and subsidiary crags are host to multi-pitch climbs on the local sun kissed gneiss slabs, highly recommended by Andrea G. 

2. The Piantonetto Valley. 9th to 11th/12th. Staying at the Rifugio Pontese, hosted by local guardian Davide. Wonderful alpine rock, wonderful welcome, wonderful food…….. what more do you want?? 2/3 nights. Enough to climb some of the classics such as the Tribolazione, Becca di Valsoera, Punta Mara or Gianni Predans modern sport routes. Guidebooks at Pontese. This a wonderful cirque of Alpine rock summits with non glacial approaches.

3. Orco Valley. To sample some of the delights put up by AC members Mike Kosterlitz [ Pesce d'Aprile] & Andrea Giorda [ Nautilus ]. Granite climbing at its finest on the Sargent, the Caporal and Torre di Amonin amongst others. The Kosterlitz crack is a legendary boulder test piece. Staying at La Cascata, Noasca or camping at Faustos’ trout farm next to the crack. 2 nights. Guidebook Valle dell'Orco by AC member Maurizio Oviglia in English  

4. Rocca Sbarua. Perfect Granite Spires set in a beautiful chestnut forest. A short walk in brings you to Casa Canada, Rif. Melano. near Pinerolo. The Canadian Pavilion from the Turin Winter Olympics has been relocated to here and is now a wonderful climbers hut in a wonderful setting and great Italian food again. 2+ nights

5. An addenda possibility is a visit to AC member Andrea Giordas’ new limestone crag in the Susa Valley, Tempio del Vento. South facing crag with sandpaper quality friction limestone. Maybe on the first or last day

I will be in the area with the possibility of providing transport for up to 4 additional members to venues from Turin Airport from Friday 8th September [best]. Otherwise car hire at Turin.

Remember this is just a taster menu of an area mostly unknown to UK climbers. It has enormous possibilities for the future. Crampons not needed…….. You will need to climb/lead VS comfortably. Bring a rack and an open mind………………

Please note: Please advise dates you wish to attend as a deposit will be required from attendees for some of the rifugios to secure a place.

Organisers:- Richard Nadin and Andrea Giorda.
 
Contact:- Richard Nadin +44 [0] 7836 588 216 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.