03/08/2022 Via Direttissima al Corno Grande 2.912 m. - Discesa Cresta Ovest - Gran Sasso D'Italia

#abruzzotrekking1962 #fidenetrekking #montagna #montagne #mountain #mountains #mount #roma #romacapitale #civitacastellanatrekking #civitacastellana #fidene #trek #trekking #viadirettissima #direttissima #cornogrande #gransasso #gransassoditalia #campoimperatore #laquila #teramo #pescara #chieti #piccolotibet #crestaovest #vianormale #pratiditivo #passodelcannone #bivaccobafile #ferratabafile #ilsassone @monteaquila Among the most famous itineraries of the Gran Sasso, the Direttissima is the most sought-after route on the Corno Grande by hikers, and is used on the descent by climbers who have reached the summit via more challenging routes. Discovered by a group of Roman climbers in the early 1900s, it ascends the southern face of the Western Peak via narrow walls and gullies that zigzag between bizarre towers and offer grade I and grade II sections. Knowledge on the rock is required, and inexperienced climbers should be roped up. The lower section is exposed to falling rocks. Caution is required, and a helmet is recommended. On foot, follow the path that passes the Botanical Garden and the Observatory and continues toward the Duca degli Abruzzi refuge. At the first fork, turn right onto the path (marked 3) that traverses the foot of the Cresta della Portella and enters a basin dominated by Monte Aquila. Steep switchbacks lead to the Sella di Monte Aquila (2335 m, E381553-N4701437, 45 minutes). At the fork in the pass, leave the trails to the Garibaldi refuge, the Franchetti refuge, the Sella del Brecciaio, and the normal route of Corno Grande on the left, and climb right along the ridge (trail markers 104 and 4) towards Monte Aquila. Further on, the trail traverses to the left and reaches the Corno Grande saddle (2,421 m, E382023-N4702218), halfway up the mountain, overlooking the Valle dell'Inferno. A steep and strenuous scree climb, where you must choose the most comfortable trail, leads to the base of the highly visible Sassone (2,500 m) and a horizontal ridge of rocks and scree. On the ridge, or to its left, you reach a fork (2,600 m, E382036-N4702728, 1 hour and 30 minutes) at the base of the steep and rocky southern slope of the mountain. To the east, from here, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the deep Valle dell'Inferno and the slopes of Monte Camicia and Monte Prena. Leave the equipped trail that traverses toward the Bafile Bivouac on the right and begin climbing directly into a deep rocky gully, marked by green triangles and offering some easy and enjoyable climbing (grade I). A small gully leads to the right to a terrace at the base of a more compact rock face. It's also possible to avoid the initial gully and climb vertically up the fork, following traces of a zigzagging trail and very easy rock. The trail markers are found at the base of the rock face. Cross it by reaching and following a small gully (15 m, grade II at the beginning), continuing through a deeper gully (grade II at the exit), and emerging onto a scree slope. Following the signs, move left, enter a loose rock gully, turn right along a ramp, and reach a notch overlooking a deep gully. Pass a slab of compact rock (grade II), traverse to the right via a slightly exposed crack, and continue along a simple scree gully. Rocks and traces of a trail on the scree lead to the Western Peak of Corno Grande (2912 m, E382141-N4703078, 1 hour). Stefano Ardito describes it in the guide "Sentieri nel Parco Nazionale Gran Sasso-Laga."