For those who are familiar with mountaineering it is pretty much impossible not to be aware of the alpine and mountaineering possibilities of High Valcellina. In any case High Valcellina plays an important role in the History of Mountaineering and its technical-philosophical growth from the end of the 1800s to all of the 1900s especially regarding climbing in the Eastern and Juian Alps. As a matter of fact these areas have been subject to the three historical phases of mountaineering’s evolution.

The first phase was marked by explorations and discoveries that had geographic and military interests. Famous mountaineers, explorers and geologists from Italy , Austria and Germany were guided in their excursions by locals or by inhabitants of the higher part of the Piave valley.

During the second phase, since the beginning of the 1900s, the two wars and the post-war period, skilled mountaineers both from Italy and from abroad make their attempts on the big walls and the wide faces of our valleys. Among the many Italians we would like to remember Cozzi, Zanutti, Gervasutti, Carlesso, Comici, Cozzolino etc.

In the last years of the twentieth century “Research mountaineering” is present also in Valcellina: crags, walls and absolute races towards “the limit” increase the popularity of the villages of Claut, Cimolais and Erto-Casso to such people as Manolo, Mariacher, Jovane, etc. and in the wintertime to Giancarlo Grassi, who, along with Mauro Corona set up interesting and difficult routes on ice.
The practice of mountaineering has been and is still alive also among the local people who solve several problems and set up many routes which are interesting both from the sport’s viewpoint and also for exploration.

While mountaineering has a much longer history, ski mountaineering makes an appearance only later on in the beginning of the seventies and becomes more popular during the eighties.

The use of skis was limited to the valleybottoms and subsequently to get closer to the walls; however snow conditions and difficult terrain made it very challenging.

The turning point for the development of ski mountaineering is credited to the members of CAI’s (Italian Alpine Club) local section and especially of the CNSAS – Alta Valcellina Station. Since the nineties and due to the interest to know better the difficult yet beautiful landscapes; the hard mountain sides with trees and the steep chutes which are not accessible in the summer months have become epic playgrounds for winter adventures. They provide great skiing experiences both for their views and for their mental-physical and technical challenges when the necessary precautions are taken.

Nowadays ski mountaineering is one of the nicest activities that lovers of the Valcellina mountains can practice.

The most  beautiful and also the most accessibile area in Claut is Ressetum. The Senons Valley is also worthy of being mentioned along with Mount Dosaip which offer good ski mountaineering itineraries especially during spring.

The Cimoliana Valley offers many possibilities for powder skiing excursions in winter and spring (the safest and easiest period for access). Beautiful trips bring us through hills, peaks and pristine woods.
Last but not least the more demanding ski mountaineers can enjoy great experiences also in the municipality of Erto-Casso. Mount Lodina, along with Mount Buscada and Mount Borgà, Mount Porgeit and Casera Galvana offer beautiful and exhausting ascents as well as exciting descents in a marvellous scenery.

Aldo Martini