Hike.uno
Hike.uno
Login
Login
Username:
Password:
Login
Not registered yet? Registration.
Forgot password?
      

Castor 4228 m

Print
ksena24. 06. 2013 10:22:45
We started the ascent to Mount Castor (4228m) on Saturday, 22.6., in the Gressoney valley. The weather to the Quintino Sella hut (3383m) was more than favorable, as we started at 14.00 and without the initial shower from above, fog and cloudiness, the strong sun would have cooked us well. An off-road vehicle shortened the path by over 600 elevation meters, then one foot after the other on snow, along the secured ridge to the hut. The next morning after sunrise we continued to the Colle di Felik saddle at 4061, from there along the ridge to the Castor summit. Weather more than excellent, views to Mont Blanc, Eiger, Matterhorn.... in short.. a tour for a pure 10. We returned by the ascent route.
Castor 4228 m 1
Castor 4228 m rain gear came first2
Castor 4228 m towards the hut3
Castor 4228 m 4
Castor 4228 m 5
Castor 4228 m 6
Castor 4228 m in the fog7
Castor 4228 m 8
Castor 4228 m 9
Castor 4228 m 10
Castor 4228 m in front of the hut at 3585m11
Castor 4228 m evening12
Castor 4228 m morning13
Castor 4228 m 14
Castor 4228 m 15
Castor 4228 m 16
Castor 4228 m 17
Castor 4228 m start of the ascent to the saddle18
Castor 4228 m 19
Castor 4228 m in the sun20
Castor 4228 m at the saddle21
Castor 4228 m 22
Castor 4228 m 23
Castor 4228 m our team24
Castor 4228 m 25
Castor 4228 m meditation at 4000 :)26
Castor 4228 m along the ridge from the hut towards the valley27
Castor 4228 m 28
Castor 4228 m 29
Castor 4228 m 30
(+13)like
jedriličar2. 08. 2013 11:22:51
We drive to Valle di Gressoney, to the end, to the village Staffal (via Milano, exit Pont St. Martin, approx. 600 km from Trieste). From there we ascend with cable car and chairlift (15 EUR return ticket) to Coll di Bettaforca (2672 m) where our tour starts. First day ascent to Rif. Capanna Sella (3585 m) where we overnight. The ascent follows an unusual path for us, the wall is quite smooth and slippery. During the ascent we cross some snowfields without problems, and before the hut there is an exposed ridge that is unusually secured for us with a plastic rope (hemp). We cross it without problems, a bit of caution is not superfluous. We overnight in the hut, beer is quite expensive (5 euros), water is even worse (1.5 l - 3 EUR, Slovenian hut keepers could learn from this case, it's not worth hauling water up in the backpack for that money), food is also expensive (primo piatto 8 EUR, secondo 15 EUR, breakfast 12 EUR). The hut was crowded, many climbers doing 5-7 day tours on Monte Rosa, reservation recommended in advance. Next day wake-up at 4, start at 5 a.m. Conditions ideal, snow hard and frozen, weather without a cloud, a little wind, temperature below zero. The ascent itself is not technically difficult, to below the summit ridge we cross on a trodden track on the snowy slope (map says it's the Felik glacier), then before the start of the ascent we rope up and a short steep ascent to the ridge follows, then ridge traverse and finally the Castor summit. Ascent time 3 hours. The ridge itself is also not technically demanding, just a bit of caution, and you go up without problems. The altitude causes the most trouble, you get out of breath really quickly and need to rest every 30-50 m of ascent. At the summit the weather is fantastic, sun, temp. around -5 degrees, and views to Gran Paradiso, Mt. Blanc, half of Switzerland, the whole Monte Rosa, etc. Follows a non-problematic descent, beer in the hut and return to the valley. I recommend it to everyone who wants to climb some four-thousander but doesn't have much experience in snow and ice, but is in good physical condition, normally with the accompaniment of a mountain guide or with more experienced high-altitude mountaineers. Pictures coming...
Up there we go.1
High mountaineers PD Planik Buzet.2
That peak in the center is Lyskam, and its glaciers below.3
Upper station of the chairlift, here the tour begins.4
There is no trail like those we are used to in the Alps, here and there, Castor is that rocky peak far to the left.5
The wall is completely different from the Julian Alps or Dolomites...6
No path in places, only yellow markers and trail number.7
View of the path traversed.8
View of the path ahead.9
Here the traversed path is visible...10
Path ahead, up there a snow patch to cross...11
In the background Punta Bettolina (2996 m)12
Snowfield by the path13
View of one branch of the Lyskamm glacier14
Short break and persuading that female hiker in short socks to turn around and go down, as she was completely unprepared for these conditions (sneakers on her feet ...)15
Path along the ridge16
Exposed ridge protected by a plastic rope17
Ridge, clearly the hut at the left end18
View back along the ridge19
View ahead, we're heading into the fog (clouds)20
Last ascent towards the hut21
View back at the last part of the ridge22
Hut in sight (or rather beer ....)23
Right branch of the Lyskamm glacier24
Finally beer .....25
Crowd in front of the hut, everyone going up, some to Lyskamm, some to Castor26
After an hour of walking it cleared up ...27
Up there is the summit, but it's still hidden from view28
Now we are roped up, start of the ascent to the ridge29
Steepest part of the ascent, no problem ...30
View down and to the crowd on the ascent31
Upper part of Lyskamm glacier32
Lyskamm (eastern and western), view from Pta Felika33
View of Castor ridge, the summit is the last one in the row34
View of the traversed path on the ridge35
Ridge ahead and view of Castor summit36
Some are already at the summit37
I am too, my team is coming38
Not much space at summit, my team proudly poses39
View from summit back along ridge, others coming40
One photo for memory, then down41
View to the other side, path from Val di Verra, Rif. Mezzalama or Switzerland42
View down to Verra glacier and path from Verra valley43
Glacier crevasse44
Mt. Blanc45
Below Castor, freshly broken, maybe a week ago?46
Another for memory, to deserved beer47
Castor climbed, beer drunk, now down, last cable car at 17, catch it48
Castor far left, middle Lyskamm, for next year, maybe this too, who knows49
(+5)like
You must log in to post a comment:
Username:
Password:
Login
If you do not yet have a username, you must first register.
         
Copyright © 2026 Hike.uno, Terms of use, Privacy and cookies