Ferrata Vandelli al Sorapiss

Introduction:

The Ferrata Vandelli is a pleasant via ferrata, of medium difficulty that rises on the eastern side of the Sorapiss Group along the wall of the Col del Fuoco. The via ferrata does not reach a peak but connects the Rifugio Vandelli with the Comici Shelter. Although it is often combined with the Ferrata Berti in a circular itinerary around the Sorapiss, we present here an itinerary with departure and return to Federavecia.

Starting location:

The Ferrata Vandelli al Sorapiss is often inserted into a loop route around the Sorapiss. If you wanted to follow a circular route, you can evaluate more points of departure for the itinerary. However, this report proposes to take the Ferrata Vandelli alone in an itinerary with departure and return to the same place, without the use of other cars. For this report we imagine the starting point at Federavecia along the road that connects Misurina with Auronzo di Cadore on the north side of the Sorapiss group. We will leave the car near the Hotel Cristallo where there is a large open space. Directions for Google Maps available here.

Approach:

Leave the car in the hotel car park (1368 m) and we will have to reach the Rifugio Vandelli. We will start by following the signs and walking along the CAI 217 / AV4 path to the west first and then to the south west. The trail initially climbs into the wood with a modest slope until it climbs between hairpin bends and more marked rips until it reaches, after almost 600 m in altitude, the Rifugio Vandelli al Sorapiss (1928 m - 1h 45 'from the parking lot). It is worth taking a moment at the hut to reach the near Lake of Sorapiss which is characterized by waters of a very characteristic turquoise color. From the hut we follow the signpost 243, we leave the sharp outline of the to our right Finger of God and we go up in a rather decided southward direction following the directions for the via ferrata. We reach the Rocky wall where the via ferrata extends also indicated by one metal slab (45 'from Rifugio Vandelli - 2h 15' from the parking lot).

Via Ferrata:

The Ferrata Vandelli climbs diagonally across the eastern wall of the so-called Col del Fuoco. The route is traced very well avoiding difficult passages. Let's start by going up one first short lineup followed by one diagonal ramp to the left with short and easy rocky leaps there leads to a chimney that we go back up to left side taking advantage of one series of ladders that come out on left side. We leave the chimney and, always to the left, first we follow a series of rocks then a ledge. This first ledge ends quickly and we go up one supported slot where it is proceeds in split climbing along the abundant supports present. This first section of the via ferrata ends.

The next section of the ferrata is characterized by a series of narrow and exposed ledges protected by wire rope. We continue to the left until you reach a short, very tight corner where we go down about 4 meters before continuing along a ledge before and a horizontal traverse then. This trait is characterized from strong exposure behind us while we cross to the left: below we see the Rifugio Vandelli, the Lake Sorapiss and in the distance parking in Foderavecchia where we left the car. We continue on the traverses that maintain moderate difficulty offering excellent grips for the feet where however it is better not to delay too long to avoid unnecessarily straining the arms.

We continue now always cutting the wall traversely in a succession of narrow ledges and short traverses always definitely exposed however lacking substantial technical difficulties. We continue until we reach theentrance to a gully. there let's get inside it paying attention to any residual snow and stones that should not be moved. We move on left side of the canyon and we begin to go up some vertical leaps that are not difficult to reach highest point of the trip. In short we take ourselves to the opposite side where we meet some indications for those traveling downhill via ferrata.

Our goal is now get off at the Comici Shelter. This descent takes place by path sections, ledges and some aided rocks that we will travel downhill. This part of the route is free of significant difficulties but attention must be paid to the not always stable rock wire rope - not stretched - tends not to help particularly. We go down on the path until we reach the Comici Shelter (2000 m) where the Ferrata Vandelli ends (2h from the start - 4h 15 'total).

Descent:

To return to the car park we will travel along the Aided path Osiride Brodevani. Since the path has aided sections, even vertical ones, we advise you not to remove the harness. From the shelter we will descend towards the center of a detrital valley called Busa del Banco. We follow the track that continues in a north-eastern direction, ignoring the path that branches off towards the south (Sentiero rigato Minazio). We continue for about 15 minutes on a path until we meet a first stretch aided downhill. Got this down vertical section, we continue in descent immediately meeting new aided sections that help in sections of steep descent as well as in a couple of vertical jumps more typical than one via ferrata compared to an aided path. We continue in steep descent on the path that is now surrounded by mountain pines facing new vertical jumps, a traverse and deal with unstable background where the equipment serves primarily as a handrail. We continue the descent, now no longer aided until we descend the last gully paying attention not to slip on grassy bottom. In short, we reach a bulletin board that indicates the end of the Osiris Brovedani Aided path and we graft onto the 226 which leads us to the east in a slight slope. To return to the car we will have to keep the left and go up 200 m in altitude on the path that runs along the Ansiei River on the opposite side of the paved road. These last meters are a bit laborious due to the length of the itinerary but without difficulty until reaching the parking area (2h 30 'from the Comici Shelter - 6h 45' total).

Attention: in 2019 the Brodevani Path is unusable due to a landslide and highly discouraged. The return takes place in reverse for the outward route or the Ferrata Vandelli is recommended in a longer loop around the Sorapiss which also includes the Ferrata Berti.

Notes:

The Ferrata Vandelli is a very well-marked via ferrata that climbs diagonally up a vertical rocky rampart taking advantage of the natural weaknesses of the wall. The result is a via ferrata that does not have sections in which it is necessary to pull on the cable and it is possible to proceed practically always climbing in the vertical sections. In 2017 the ladders are not in very good condition as the metal cable is not stretched in most of the way.

Storia:

La ferrata Vandelli è intitolata, come l'omonimo rifugio incontrato lungo l'escursione, al defunto presidente del CAI di Venezia Alfonso Vandelli. Vandelli si dedicò attivamente e finanziariamente sia alla costruzione del rifugio che alla via ferrata. Vandelli era un celebre alpinista dell'epoca. La via ferrata completava l'anello del Sorapiss assieme alla vicina Ferrata Berti e al Sentiero Attrezzato Minanzio.

Opportunities:

As mentioned at the beginning of the report, the Ferrata Vandelli is often combined in a loop itinerary on the Sorapiss which includes the Ferrata Berti placed on the eastern side. Since to cover Berti it is necessary to take the complete ring, we refer to his report for the indications of the ring loop.

Staying in the area of the Cadore we meet many other beautiful via ferratas, among which surely the neighbor stands out Ferrata to the Antelao Glacier. Continuing northwards in Cadore we meet the two aided paths Da Prà and Jau Tana. Continuing towards the Sesto Dolomites we also meet the Ferrata to the Cengia Gabriella, the Zandonella and the Strada degli Alpini.

Continuing towards the Carnic Alps we also meet the Aided path Olivato, the Via Ferrata Cassiopea and the Varmost via ferrata.