| Parkeljc20. 05. 2017 17:51:23 |
Yesterday we headed via Pontebba to the Lanza saddle (17 km asphalted mountain road), where our starting point was and via ferrata to Monte Zermula. Of course, these were just pious wishes  . It was already officially not possible to reach the saddle, as the road was broken and lifted in some places, creating tens of cm holes that were patched somehow. The road is CLOSED. With the off-roader, we reached the saddle without problems. Even before the ferrata entrance there were snowfields, a bit below the entrance a larger compacted snowfield. Walking on snow presented no issues without winter gear. When we found the ferrata entrance, we sighed in relief, put on helmets, harnesses and via ferrata sets. The starting part is quite steep but manageable, then it levels out, drops a bit and then slight ascent again. When we reached the level  !!! No winter gear, no continuation  . We faced a steep snowfield from which the cable was visible at one spot, but it was so steep that continuing without winter gear would not be safe, mildly put. I continued alone to the right, through the narrow and pronounced gully hoping to reach the cable after climbing it. By my estimate, it was II degree difficulty. I climbed about 100m, two III steps maybe in between, then the difficulty increased, found old pegs with prusik, then I knew the fun was over. Did not see the cable, as it hid behind a pronounced steep rock outcrop and obviously went left to the ridge to the summit where WWI ruins were visible. Had to admit it was better to turn back  . Initially hoping to conquer the summit via normal route, but soon after descent to starting point had to accept no bread from this flour, as fog below the summit clearly said better another time. No excessive disappointment, as we viewed other sights nearby and spiced the day with trunk content  .
Right after descent from Lanza saddle (about 1 km) towards Paularo (42 km) we hit a landslide and it seemed we were trapped. Excavator working full throttle, learned road closed until next day. Turned around and headed on ragged mountain road to Austria. No border control 😊. Almost an hour we drove on that road past several pastures and huts (summer obviously crowded huts), until we started losing height and arrived in Gail Valley, where we sighed from gravel shaking. Soon towards Nassfeld, soon after border noticed Italian patrol. Right after lake parked and treated ourselves to trunk content for solid two hours . Patrol changed checkpoint to our parking where we turned to lake and deservedly refreshed. After good two hours Golf column arrived (obviously fans meeting nearby), Italians stopped them and dealt with them, we quickly packed and whizzed past to valley. In valley new patrol, could not pass . But our driver did not consume banned substances  forbidden for driving, so after few-minute check continued to SLO .
If anyone goes our route, know that for another week or two winter gear needed at some places, road from Pontebba to Lanza saddle NOT suitable for normal car.
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