On Friday we were up with the sparrows again to ensure being first on our intended route, “Mariakante” , 5.8ish, 8 pitches on Pordoispitze. This is the view of Punta Grohmann (3000+m) and the Funffingerspitzen (which is quite fun to pronounce)
Good sign, no cars in the parking lot at the top of Pordoi Pass. We headed up to the hut on the big mountain on the left (Pordoispitze)
On the nearly one hour approach hike
Marmolada (big, glaciated peak on left)
Panorama looking down on Pordoi Pass
We started the route at 7:30am. By far we were fhe first people on the route--we didn't see any other cars pull into the lot until nearly 9:00am
The first pitch was tricky off the ground, then cruiser, then loose at the end.
All the belays on this route were equipped with a beefy cemented bolt and rings
Looking up the next four pitches. It climbs the face to the right of the big roof on the left up there
A bit ledgy and loose on the second pitch
We linked P3 and P4
Allison on P3
The traverse on the fifth pitch
On the nice belay ledge at the top of P5
The sixth pitch traverse over to, and across, a gully so I had a good view looking back at Allison. Can you see her in there?
View of Punta Grohmann and Funffingerspitze and Piz Ciavaces
Many thread opportunities on the upper pitches
Following P7
Belay at the top of P8
For the final 200m we unroped and scrambled to the summit which goes straight to the restaurant and tram station
We had a group of tourists watching us and taking our pictures from the guardrail above as wel scrambled up the final bowl.
Fritz on the other side of the rail
We topped out around 10:30am in time for cappuccino on the deck
Looking down the final bowl we ascended
A self-timer shot with the camera set on the railing. Sella Pass is just out of frame on the left.
One of the easiest descents ever...the 6 euro tram!
Looking back at the route and summit hut. The route we climbed goes up the detached pillar on the left and then crosses at the notch to the main walll and up
In the afternoon we went for a hike at Sella Pass. This is looking back down towards Canazei
First Sella Tower
Allison looks across to the NW face of Pordoispitze. A 26 pitch 5.7 ascends the face just to the right of Allison. Need to come back.
First Sella Tower again. Lots of flowers!
The Three Sella Towers (3,2,1 from left to right)
