Some have been forming only recently, others go back to the dawn of time and return every winter, when the temperature drops below freezing. They are the frozen waterfalls of the valley of Ayas, to the Valdostane slopes of Monte Rosa, where some of the most famous tourist resorts of the Valle D'Aosta can be found, such as Champoluc, and Antagnod; a pearl of traditional architecture.
Within an
altitude range of almost 3000 metres, from the 1600m at the valley floor
to the 4221m of the summit of Castore, sections of the rocky streams and
rivers crystallise during the cold season, transforming themselves into a
paradise for climbers, who can confront empty space one-to-one; suspended
between snow and rock. It's an extreme discapline that combines classic
mountaineering with free rock-climbing; the only security is a rope,
ice-screws and crampons; but it can be approached little by littele on the
numerous easy routes offered in the valley of Ayas. Unique experiences in
every case, like the nocturnal ascent of the suggestive Mascognaz
waterfall, that offers an easy route illuminated after sunset, and ideal
for those attempting ice-climbing for the forst time. The equipment,
harness included, can be rented from the Alpine Guides of Ayas, whose
advise it is always best to seek before adventuring into this
terrain.
For the more experienced on the other hand, the gentle valley of Cime Bianche can be ascended with snow-shoes or skis with seal-skins as far as the Alpe Cortot waterfall, following the Kramerthal; an ancient trade route connecting the swiss side with Milan that crossed thre Monte Rosa Massif right in the Ayas region. It is a route through which you can discover the traditional architecture of the rascards, the wooden barns suspended on the houses, bivouacs, and the indelible tracks of mans relationship with the mountains.
Contact the writer:
Marco Spataro
Guida e Fotografo
11020 AYAS AO, Italy
tel: +39 3472510851
e-mail: