2002 late winter ice climbing

I met Andrew and Alessandro on 2/21/2002. We went ice climbing during the weekends in the next two months. My girlfriend Yuan also tagged along often. The ice was melting fast so we had to go to progressively higher altitude for good ice. We went to Sappada for a start. This page is about our ice climbing in Sappada (about 2000m above seal level).

The trips were all memorable. Although we usually were in a party of three or with me being the only leader, I enjoyed the trips. Alessandro did all the driving and insisted on paying his share of fuel cost! He climbs impressively on strap-on walking crampons with long ice axes. Andrew was enthusiastic and did the research as where to climb -- be cause we were all new to ice climbing or the region or both.

---

Waterfall Ice at Sappada

[42KB]This is the first ice fall we climbed. We went back a couple of times until the ice was too thin and inaccessible. Both Andrew and Alessandro were first time on waterfall ice. They made good progress.	[44KB]We spotted this ice fall from Sappada after bidding goodbye to the first one. This one is 200 meters tall. We attempted a route called Blanca Neve, a climb on the right. Alessandro did his first lead on ice here.

---

Blanca Neve

[84KB]Me and Andrew at the belay of the first pitch. Andrew loved his new crampons.	[68KB]I belayed Alessandro and Andrew up then Andew belay Yuan. This is Yuan following P1.	[88KB]Happy faces. Yuan and Alessandro at P1 belay.	[96KB]We were slow in climbing in a party of four. This is our highest point, the 4th pitch belay. Note Yuan were using a mountaineering ice axe because we didn't have ice tools for everyone.

---

Waterfall Ice at Vallon

[70KB] The awesome Mt. Pelmo near Cortina d'Ampezzo.	[136KB] We took the Boe ski lift at Corvara to the Vallon. We then walked up, with the North side of Mt. Marmolada in distance.	[110KB] Grand Boeseekofel face at Vallon amphitheatre. This was such a tranquil and beautiful place. We should have brought a tent here.	[110KB] Walking to the ice climb. I think the tower is the "Zehner", to its left separated by a gap is the "Neuner".
[48KB] We stupidly climbed below an earlier party in a narrow couloir and got bombarded by broken ice and snow dislodged above. This is Alessandro and Andrew hiding behind rocks (so was I above them).

---

Sapada di Damocle

[92KB] These climbs were at Colfosco near Corvara, and 40min to approach taking the trail. The Y shaped frozen waterfall is Sapada di Damacle. We didn't find the approach trail but we made it.	[50KB] The third pitch was steep, wet, and was full of big dubious jug shaped formations on its surface. One could have climbed it with hands or at least by mostly hooking. It took me almost an hour to lead it.	[53KB] Between P3 and P4 there was a cool cave.	[56KB] The last pitch was easy and pleasant. I tried Andrew's Quark icetool and found them to be super sweet.

---

Venice Carnival

[43KB] The Grand Canal at sunset.	[94KB] Someone liked red and pink.	[82KB] Random people on San Marco square.