EXERCISE ITALIAN ODYSSEY 22 – 42 ENGINEER REGIMENT (GEO)
Spending 20 hours traveling through 4 countries in a minibus isn’t ideal, but as day breaks on the winding road leading out of Innsbruck, it all becomes apparently worth it. Resting high above our campsite is the Marmolada Glacier. After setting up camp in the town of Canazei a few of us set off to explore, most in need of food and a good leg stretch.
The next morning is an introduction to the via ferrata kit we’ve been issued as well as how to use it effectively. We then hop into the bus and travel up the mountains behind Canazei to the start of the Campitello di Fassa. A grade 2 introductory Via Ferrata that will slowly ease the nerves of the novice climbers of the group. The day ends with a debrief from Cpt Bass at the café on top of the climb. With enough time to watch the heavy clouds roll through the craggy peaks behind us.
Day 2 requires another short drive out of Canazei to the Parco Natrurale delle Dolomiti d’Ampezzo. A large and imposing sight to see. The narrow footpath takes us to the base of the Ferrata degli Alpini, a popular grade 3 via ferrata and the ruins of an old field hospital. The summit of the climb sits adjacent to the Galleria Lagazuoi, a twisting network of tunnels and bunkers dug into the mountain by the Italian forces during the 1st World War. The walk to the Galleria Lagazuoi crosses the open space of No Man’s Land between the Austrian occupied mountains to the North and the narrow trenches of the Italian forces. After a somewhat knee jarring descent through the tunnels, we emerged into the bright sunlit valley floor again, and proceeded to drive back to camp.
Day 3 started with a cable car ride to the Livinallongo del Col do Lana to the start of the Ferrata Delle Trincee a route with many exposed sections of minimal footholds and tricky traverses. With the weather slightly overcast the route became a little less arduous and the cool wind that blew through the Col was greatly received, by me at least. The route climbed steeply up at first but levelled out after a short while which meant following the cable through the ridge, weaving in and out as it went. Eventually bridging a gap between two peaks with a wooden bridge. Once finished it was back to the cable car and down the mountain, narrowly avoiding the rain that had loomed over us since the start of the climb.
The next day was the start of or longest day out on the rock with an estimated completion time of between three and five hours. This was the Brigata Tridentina via ferrata a grade 3B route made popular with its somewhat challenging climb and beautiful vistas along the way as well as another wooden bridge connecting the Torre Exner and the Mur de Pisciadú. From the top of the climb, it was a short walk to our temporary camp for the night at the Rifugio Pisciadú.
The final morning day after our 7am start with coffee and croissants, we poured over the map for a brief assessment of the route down. We set out to climb Piz Boé, one of the highest mountains in the region. Sitting on the top of the mountain at 3152m above sea level is the Piz Boé Rifugio. Never have I been so ready to spend 7 euros on a can of coke. After lunch at the Rifugio Boe we descended to the cable car station at the Terrazza delle Dolomiti and back to Canazei for tea and medals.
The following week ahead consisted of Continuation Training in the form of either Mountaineering, Climbing or Via Ferrata. Lucky the Dolomites offers up some of the best terrain in the world, so we were spoiled for choice. With 5 days of continuation training under our belts the realisation of the 20 Hour drive back dawned on us. On the morning of 14th June around 8am we started the journey back to RAF Wyton, not before we passed through Austria, Germany, France, Luxembourg and finally the English Channel. Being back in the UK was bittersweet, Glad to have the Journey over but bitter we won’t be waking to the sunrise over the Dolomites. Needless to say, it’s not an experience any of us will be forgetting soon!
“I had never had the chance to try Via Ferrata before as it is not something that is readily accessible outside of the UK, for me it is the perfect mix of walking and climbing and I hope I get to do it again in the future” LCpl Dawkins.
“For many members of the expedition, this has been their first chance to travel abroad and conduct AT since before the pandemic and what better place than the Dolomites! The expedition was a complete success with 16 personnel being qualified in either RSF or SMF as well as introducing every member of the expedition to Via Ferrata. The benefits to the unit cannot be understated and will hopefully continue to be a priority for the future” Sgt McCrea
