It was another meltingly hot day and we left our camp site late in order to maximise the sweating. We headed to Riva and started up a path towards the cliffs. The plan was to do a via ferrata route marked on a little tourist map we had bought. After about an hour it became apparent that we did not have nearly enough water. Luckily some cunning folks had installed a little water catchment system in the rocks before the via ferrata route starts. We replenished our water supplies and started the via ferrata proper.
Above left: Emily is happy after topping up her water bottle with Aqua. Above right: Us just after putting our harnesses on.
It was an interesting climb. There were three ladder sections attached with steel rods to the cliff. You feel very exposed half way up the cliffs attached to rusty looking bits of metal. Every now and then we would come across a badly bent rung which was not comforting. I guess occasionally there must be rock fall and even steel can be bent with enough force. Luckily my head is made of stronger stuff.
Above left: Of course we took careful note of all the signage referring often to our pocket Italian dictionary. Above right: Frauke and Emily climbing the last ladder towards the summit.
Below left: Cris on a ladder with Riva in the background below. Below right: Cris climbing.
We had lunch at the top of the climb where it was slightly cooler before heading back down a walking track into the heat.
More photos from the day below…
Above: Frauke and Emily clip.
Below: Shots of the lake while climbing.
Above: Frauke climbing and then relaxing at the summit (below).
Above left: Victory… Above right: …Or not. Luckily they have a handy helicopter landing pad at the top of the climb for all those people who need a lift down.