03. Palla Bianca

from EASY ALPINISM in TRENTINO-SOUTH TYROL

Symbols and Technical Introduction

Access: from Madonna di Campiglio to Passo Campo Carlo Magno, large pay and display car park and cable car starting point for rifugio Stoppani at Passo del Grostè

Ascent: from rifugio Stoppani take path Gustavo Vidi n.390 for Bocchetta dei Tre Sassi. Go round the first rocky step, fully facing east, the path continues along the ridge until a large cairn. Here the path turns to the left and traverses at altitude all the western side of Pietra Grande. From the cairn leave path Vidi and continue faithfully along the grassy ridge until you find the large metal plaque which marks the beginning of the traverse. The first part of the ascent, and that is until the summit to Pietra Grande, is characterized by a passage inside a cave and by overcoming a deep canyon with 3 abseils, of roughly 20 metres each. Beyond the saddle, or the traverse of the summit, it does not present any particular difficulties. A few abseils are needed to reach the pass which separates Pietra Grande from cima Vagliana, beyond the pass easy rocks and grass lead to cima Vagliana, characterised by a large metal flag. Roughly 2 hours and a half from Pietra Grande.

Descent: from cima Vagliana follow the tracks which first towards north, then towards west, drop down along the grassy slopes, until they intercept path Costanzi. Follow this to get back to rifugio Soppani or more easily, to rifugio Graffer. Caluclate roughly another 2 hours for the descent.

Towards Pietra Grande (© Diego Filippi) Ô Cartography: Tabacco 053 Dolomiti di Brenta

Climbing up to Cima Vagliana (© Diego Filippi) Ô