chossclimbers

Go back to Euro Sampler – Dolomites.
Go back to Dolomites – Part 1.

08/21/08. West Face – Vinatzer (V+, 13P) on Third Sella Tower

…which turned out to be two days later as a brief system rolled through South Tyrol. Finally though, there we were at Sella Pass at the crack of dawn. Well almost. Shirley’s pick for the day was the Third Sella Tower with its nice-looking Vinatzer route. The advertised 20-minute approach followed by 13 pitches of climbing and a tower summit were irresistible. A sizable crowed was already assembled at the base when we arrived though it would prove to not be an issue as most would either be quite fast or would bail after the first pitch or two. The climbing was fun if not terribly sustained. I had this feeling as though I were free soloing given the interesting fixed pegs…a persistent nagging that would take me a few climbs to get rid of. The advertised crux finger crack pitch was probably the highlight of the route. The rock quality deteriorates near the top, at least visually but no holds broke. Soon we were enjoying our tower summit and less so the largely free solo downclimb of the easier “backside” of the tower (exposed and stressful!). We ran into a trio of friendly Italian climbers and joined forces on the rappels while shooting the breeze with Mossimo.

Photos

Go to Dolomites – Part 3.
Go back to Euro Sampler – Dolomites.