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TOFANA di MEZZO 3244m.....

ania15. 10. 2010 09:40:02

Hi.....

14.10.2010....warm....no wind...no cloud...clear air....lonely....we were alone..the only company were two ptarmigans... velik nasmeh

start at rif.DIBONA, on to rif.POMEDES, ferrata GIUSEPPE OLIVIERI to Punta Anna, to the summit ferrata GIANI AGLIO, summit TOFANA di MEZZO, descended to the col between TOFANA di MEZZO and TOFANA di DENTRO, right on unmarked but well marked path with cairns to the scree, then just whoooo to the start point,....

excellent tour, VEEEEERY LONG, we took 7 and a half hours, extraordinary views, more in the pics.. zavijanje z očmi

Cheers A.

mukica15. 10. 2010 09:53:53

Wow

Nice, as the last snowy pics show mežikanje

ania15. 10. 2010 11:18:19

yes according to the weather forecast it really looks like it velik nasmeh

Regards A.

voluhar8. 08. 2018 11:38:17

https://tomazsarc.blogspot.com/2018/07/tofane-28-292018.html

(+2)

stankoju13. 09. 2018 18:56:20

On Tuesday 11.9.2018 on Tofana di Mezzo via ferrata Punto Anna and then via ferrata Giani Aglio. The route is quite airy but well protected and all safety gear is in excellent condition. As a reward nice warm September sun and great views. Return to the valley by cable car, we saved ourselves a bit for the next day when Marmolada is planned.

(+6)

panda14. 09. 2018 08:10:19

bravo boys. nasmeh

(+1)

stankoju14. 09. 2018 12:24:35

Thanks

bagi29. 09. 2021 11:49:16

Ferrata G. Olivieri / Ferrata G. Aglio

Surprisingly, unbelievably we were alone on the ferratas. From start to end, only the summit was full of cable car users. Even those with sausages in plastic bags. I briefly thought of some nearby supermarket, as after hours of ferrata in the mighty walls of Tofane you don't expect that.

And how did we manage to be alone? We chose a late date, a weekday and start at first light. Despite the wonderful day we met hardly anyone and enjoyed every moment without waiting for those ahead. Unbelievable, unforgettable. Both ferratas are like that. Beautifully routed, impeccably protected, on the sunny side of the Dolomites. Nicer for us than the shady, serious and wet Lipella nearby, although that one is a bit easier. Matter of taste.

But the warning is in place: this combo is one of the longer ferratas so fitness besides proper experience is basic requirement. I think we have it, yet without delays and with minimal clipping we took 5 hours from Dibona to summit. I don't remember taking longer.

Descent was a story of its own. Usually we don't use cable cars or similar, so we went down on foot. Of course unwittingly we chose a quite demanding variant: from Tofana di Mezzo to Rif. Giussani hut. Extremely narrow path winds far around steep slopes dropping deep into the valley. It went slowly and carefully, sometimes looking back we wondered where we even came from. Similar with views ahead velik nasmeh

. Helpful were small newer square marks. They told us the path isn't completely forgotten and collapsed in some steep slope. Not many photos for understandable reasons nasmeh

.

After a good hour we finally crawled to the steep scree where only descent down. Marks turn left into same terrain, so we used excellent scree for fast descent. Well, not that fast as we had to drop several hundred meters on such terrain. Rif. Giussani at the end was balm for the eyes jezik

.

This was the only hut of this year's twelve where they required *Green pass*, i.e. Covid vaccination proof for entry. Nowhere else asked, though we stayed overnight in several. Then descent to Dibona and happily off to new adventures nasmeh

. No point describing ferratas stone by stone, so more in photo story ...

Start coordinates (Rif. Dibona): 46.532784, 12.070125

From Rif. Diboni hut we start at first light

Beautiful, a wonderful day is promised and it's still cool :)

Signpost for entry into newer via ferrata

Behind no one anywhere, who is in front of us we don't even know

Dedication to G. Olivieri, as the via ferrata to Punta Ana is also called

This is how it looks right from the start. Super :)

Some easy warm-up, just enough to get into it

Via ferrata moves to the ridge and shoots upwards

There are always enough slippery and non-slip steps

It's hot in the sun, I'd rather go to the shade :)

And again the route shoots straight up...

Just checking if the cable is really secured...

Punta Anna, end of the first section of the via ferrata.

And here comes the magnificent continuation, via ferrata G. Aglio.

Emergency exit, voice of the people doesn't count. Continuation is harder.

Hut Rif. Giussani in Fontananegra saddle, where the emergency exit leads.

Continuation on via ferrata G. Aglio and engaging four-wheel drive.

We still have to climb this little mound...

Look, the pile collapsed on them because the rope is too high.

The rock offers no grip and the iron comes in very handy.

Bushy path, your own caution protects you

Is there another passage? This one isn't to my measure?

Repeat the exercise, this time on the older model

Shall we go down on foot? Right, that guy is heading our way

At the lowest point we branch off along the marked path to Rif. Giussani

Hidden traps. Vast scree fields, black ice below

Did everyone really descend here? What else awaits us...

Finally the motorway after snail-like progress

And not for long, down the steep scree we descend substantially

Endless descent. Markers are to the left, but nothing better there

Rif. Giussani, the most desired hut right now :)

After abundant rest in the pleasant hut we return to the valley via the classic path

Morning starting point. Surprisingly not many cars

GPS track of the hiked path. Recorded 11 km and 1400 elevation gain

(+16)

bagi29. 09. 2022 13:25:54

Ferrata G. Olivieri / Ferrata G. Aglio / Ferrata Formenton

To last year's experience with Punto Anno and Tofana di Mezzo we added Tofana di Dentro this year. Then this combo wasn't feasible due to different logistics, but happily repeated all in different way this autumn. Goal clear: traverse all three ferratas and loop back to start. But reality on return differed zavijanje z očmi

.

Again alone on first two. Late date and dawn start is magic formula. Most hikers wait for chairlift comfortably almost to ferrata. Saw quite a few far behind, we enjoyed alone. Yay velik nasmeh

.

Ferratas Giuseppe Olivieri and Gianni Aglio surely among nicest Dolomites experiences. Run in serious Dolomite towers environment, long and varied. Where possible follow natural passages opposite modern sport ferratas. Difficulty reaches C/D in places, less elsewhere. For more challenge climb adjacent Torre Aglio with solid D. Protections excellent whole way, some free passages. One had added rope last year, gone this. Above ferrata eases to summit not far.

Tofana di Mezzo crowded as usual, mostly tourists. They cable car almost to top. Noticing more new summit conquerors with selfie sticks. Hold long pole with phone overhead for height selfies. Even 2m pole with camera on backpack seen.

Followed Ferrata Formenton on Tofana di Dentro. Started with drop to saddle where last year branched left to Rif. Giussani. This time straight to top. Easier ferrata max B/C. Evident in crowds, overtook many. Most cable car under Tofana di Mezzo summit, ferrata to Tofana di Dentro then back same. Little effort big reward, only cable car price not gentle.

Descent complicated a bit nasmeh

. Plan continue over summit join path 407 to mid station Ra Vales then Rif. Pomedes. But above top cable station saw closed sign. Still continued from Tofana di Dentro as per hikers some ascended that way. Finally turned by two returning same goal. Said lower in rocks impassable. Didn't check sadly, hurried back to top station. Surprise: operator said path perfectly passable. Due to tourist crowds and rockfall risk preferred closed sign. That's it eek

.

New descent version not easy: mistakenly took tickets one station low. Without checking map rode comfy to Col Druscie. Penalty immediate. To our start extra very uncomfortable 400hm right by ski slope. Steam from ears at own stupidity, no choice zavijanje z očmi

. Conclusion: excellent thing to repeat. Without this descent add of course nasmeh

.

Start coordinates (Rif. Dibona): 46.532784, 12.070125

Early hour, golden hour. It was worth getting up early also because of the sunny sunrise.

Tofana di Rozes in the glow of the moon and first morning light.

I wonder where Tofana di Rozes got its name from :)

The moon bids farewell, everything around glows in the warmth of early morning

We are already on the way to the ferrata. Surprisingly, there is no one ahead of us

Also from the direction of Rif. Pomedes hut we do not see people

We are already at the entrance to the ferrata

The introductory sections are ideal for effortless warm-up

The cables are excellently tensioned, the rock good, the step secure

Slowly we reach working temperature, oops ... ferrata-style :)

We are already warmed up. We stretch arms and legs and rush forward

Ku, kuc … you already photographed me here last year :)

In the first part there is a lot of ridge climbing with plenty of air underfoot

Every now and then a comfortable spot for a rest is found

We switch to the shady side. The temperature difference is more than obvious at this time of year

We persist in our original clothing. Higher up, the sun awaits us again.

Punta Anna. Here the first part of the via ferrata ends, and nearby there is also an emergency exit.

We two continue along the clearly visible steep ledge that diagonally crosses the slope.

There are enough cables at all difficult spots, and they are taut like strings.

View back. The passage takes place in a beautiful setting and is not too exposed.

At the end we have to cross an even steeper part of the wall.

And we are already a floor higher. Here hands, feet and head rest for a short time :)

Of course the via ferrata is far from over and soon the continuation follows…

We will also have to go around these towers.

For starters, we cautiously continue along the exposed path.

Immediately after it, the wall stands vertical for us. This passage is difficult.

We pull ourselves onto the upper ledge. Here we catch our breath for the continuation :)

Yes, that's the direction we're going :)

Famous passage along the narrow ledge. Probably the most photographed detail of this via ferrata.

Feelings during the passage are mixed. The eyes want to see the feet, but that's not always possible.

The exit also requires some gymnastics, as one has to move to a higher ledge.

This tower also comes in turn. The passage is below and then along the left slope.

The ground here is different, full of some kind of glued rocks.

We are already under the tower. One can really feel the enormous weight of the mighty giant.

Without protections it wouldn't go here, nor in many other places.

The continuation requires steady nerves. Protections run out, the path is narrow and exposed.

So it is all the way to the smooth, bulging walls. Here the protections reappear.

This section is attractive and very exposed. Difficulties are moderate, but foot placement sequence is important.

Immediately after the bend the via ferrata shoots steeply upwards.

This bit can't be done other than by hauling on the cable. The rock is good here.

It passes into a serious and very airy environment. The wind is strongest here too.

Probably because someone forgot to close the huge window :). The path goes through it.

On the other side awaits us a metal crossing at a considerably higher altitude.

The ladder is about 20 m high and is excellently secured.

Immediately after it, a slightly more difficult section appears again.

Up here we have to go. The rock is excellent, which is not the rule everywhere.

Another little ladder comes to our aid. This one is of the older type, the rungs turn.

We're just a little before the summit. One more deep bow to the via ferrata and we continue :)

Up to here we were completely alone, on the summit there's expectedly more traffic.

Tofana di Mezzo. We gladly visit it again and again :)

View of nearby and distant neighbors in the direction of the Falzarego pass. On the left is Tofana di Rozes.

From the summit we descend to the approach path from the gondola.

On the passage towards Tofana di Dentro, a warning about the closure of the path to Ra Vales. Hmmm???

Tofana di Dentro in all its glory. It is the second highest of the Tofanas.

First we descend deeply all the way to the saddle.

Last year at the same time we turned left down there and there was no trace of the little lake.

Tofana di Dentro, Tofana de Inzia or simply Trojka. It all means the same.

The protections appear already quite a bit before the summit massif.

There are quite a few people too. Some are more skilled, others less.

We overtake many of them. They step aside on their own, without even asking them.

On the summit with another Slovene. Surprisingly, we met quite a few of them on the Tofanas.

Typical hillbilly walking stick … they are characterized by a long pole and confused spinning around its own axis

Descending over the summit towards the valley, until our predecessors turn us back due to the *impassable* path

The most sensible option was to return via Tofana de Dentro to the upper cable car station

Adrenaline path, which we descended last year towards Rif. Giussani hut

The appearance of Tofana di Mezzo is like it was made of puff pastry :)

A bit more steepness awaits us and soon we'll be on the promenade path

Upper cable car station right below the summit

Memorial to the first ascent of the magnificent mountain

Ra Vales station, where we should have descended or taken the cable car. Unfortunately it wasn't quite like that :)

Rif. Duca d'Aosta hut on the way up. From the cable car station to here we took almost an hour

Engaging turbo drive, but the conversation somehow stalled :)

Double relief :). Finally arriving panting at the starting point at Rif. Dibona hut

GPS track of the hiked path. Altogether with the addition it came to 11 km and 2200 m elevation gain

(+9)

panda29. 09. 2022 14:07:57

Congrats; as always perfectly written and pictured. Unique comments on the pictures and share the smiley nasmeh

for "selfie stick guy" categorization. nasmeh

(+2)

felix29. 09. 2022 17:56:03

Bagi, unique reports from your wanderings in the wonderful Dolomites. Unfortunately my age no longer allows such long tours, but last year I still did the ascent to Dentro (of course to Mezzo by cable car). What about the road to Dibona this year? A few years ago it was catastrophic. Cheers and many beautiful paths.

(+1)

Trobec29. 09. 2022 19:38:23

Did you repeat it on the anniversary of last year's, or is it just by chance the same recording day? velik nasmeh

That descent from the Last Tofana would therefore work, only your predecessors didn't find the path, or got scared?

(+1)

bagi29. 09. 2022 20:28:55

First thanks for the congratulations and a few more answers.

Felix ... the upper part of the road is more rodeo due to the landslide, but we pushed through to the parking lot with the caravan without special problems. With diesel it's easier, because you go at low revs.

Trobec ... you're right nasmeh

. Those two who turned us back were obviously more Sunday hikers. But we chose the safest option based on all the info at that moment. Descent to Giussani didn't appeal to us at the end of the cable car operating hours zavijanje z očmi

. To the Tofane we went completely by chance on the same day as last year velik nasmeh

(+1)

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