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Climbing in Valle Orco Multipitch routes and mountaineering on the trail of Nuovo Mattino Canavese Gran Paradiso Piedmont
Location: Noasca, Ceresole Reale and Locana (Piantonetto Valley)
Guide language: IT, EN
Climbing in Valle Orco: Multipitch routes and mountaineering in the footsteps of Nuovo Mattino
#hashtag: Climbing Valle Orco – Climbing Piedmont – Mountaineering PiedmontWelcome to the epic adventure that awaits you in the magnificent Orco Valley, a climber’s paradise known throughout the climbing world!
This valley is called the “European Yosemite”, as the majestic rock walls recall the iconic ones of the famous Yosemite, albeit on a smaller scale. It was right here, in the 1970s, during the “Nuovo Mattino” era, that a revolution came to life, forever transforming the world of mountaineering and climbing in Italy and beyond.
It is precisely to remember the legendary Captain of Yosemite that the walls between Noasca and Ceresole were named Caporal and Sergent by its discoverers and ascentionists in the 70s.
Quoting the words of Mike Kosterlitz, who together with Gian Piero Motti is one of the main protagonists of Nuovo Martino: “It was incredible, simply incredible. There was that continuous succession of granite walls, one more beautiful and larger than the other, where everything still needed to be done, everything. It was like discovering a Yosemite on your doorstep. For me, accustomed to the small walls of Wales and Derbyshire, exploited to the last handhold, it was heaven on earth. There was more virgin rock on Caporal alone than in all of Snowdonia. We just had to decide where to go, it was absolutely incredible that there were still places like this”.
If you are fascinated by the history of “Nuovo Mattino”, we invite you to explore the page dedicated to this revolutionary movement that shaped the history of the valley. You can find it HERE.
With our 5-day package, we offer you the opportunity to retrace the historic climbs of these walls and the isolated valleys that surround them. You will face the legendary walls of Sergent, Caporal and the Aimonin Tower, and then conclude in style with two days of rock mountaineering in the remote and wild Piantonetto valley, another fundamental place in the history of Piedmontese mountaineering. You will be able to climb the iconic southern Becco della Tribulation, or the impressive NW face of Becco di Valsoera, which offers almost 500m of pure granite.
Based on your level of experience, we will select the most suitable routes to guarantee you an exciting and rewarding challenge. The granite, the cracks and the history that permeates the southern slope of the Gran Paradiso will leave you speechless.
You will be accompanied by certified mountain guides, fluent in English, who will lead you with professionalism and passion along the entire route. This tour is designed for climbers with good rock climbing experience (5C/6A).
But the opportunities don’t stop there! Customize your package to your liking, based on days of availability and individual preferences. We are here to satisfy your every request, adding or removing services to create the tailor-made experience you are looking for.
Don’t miss the opportunity to live an unforgettable experience among the peaks of the fascinating Italian Alps!
Summer
2
Couples, Singles
5D
2
2
Point to point
1500m
3360 m
16km
1500
1900
Single track
Summer
5D
2
Couples, Singles
2
2
16
Point to point
Single track
1500
1500
3360
1900
2
3
2
2
Accomodation: Refuge
Meals: Packed, Refuge
- 3 days of TRAD climbing on multipitch routes at Sergent, Caporal and Aimonin, retracing the history of Nuovo Mattino
- 2 days of pure mountaineering in the Piantonetto valley
- required technical level: 5C, good trekking habits
- Overnight stays in refuge
- All meals are included, and you can taste typical KM0 products
- Accompaniment by certified mountain guides with fluent English
- Close encounters with the typical fauna of the Gran Paradiso National Park (ibex, chamois, eagles, bearded vultures, marmots, etc)
- Authentic immersion in a wild and uncontaminated place, unknown to mass tourism
- Visit protected natural areas, including the Gran Paradiso park, the oldest park in Italy
- Possibility of customizing the tour with other activities or experiences, cultural visits, additional days or other extras (see dedicated section)
- We undertake to collect any waste found during the excursion
- We offer the possibility of offsetting the CO2 produced by the tour by planting trees
- As far as possible we choose eco-friendly accommodation facilities and restaurateurs who offer local, organic and KM0 products
- We try as much as possible to avoid the use of motor vehicles as much as possible
Incluso
Extra
- Airport/station transfer to and from the meeting point
- Everything not specified in ""Included""
- Extra meals and drinks not specified
- Equipment unless specified
- Trekking backpack (25/30L)
- Bottle of water
- Trekking poles
- Crampons
- Layered technical clothing ("onion" system)
- Hat or bandana
- Breathable T-shirts
- Breathable base layer
- Breathable second layer (e.g. fleece sweater)
- Waterproof and windproof jacket (rubber)
- Heavy winter jacket
- Water-repellent trekking trousers
- Trekking boots (possibly waterproof)
- Gloves
PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS:
- Mask
- Hand sanitizer
- Towel
- Sheet and blanket or light sleeping bag
- Soap, shampoo, etc.
ACCESSORIES:
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen with adequate UV protection
- Lip balm with UV protection
- Cell phone and charger
- Head torch
- Cash (not all refuges accept credit cards)
OTHER RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES:
- Thermal underwear (in cold conditions and according to personal preferences)
- First aid kit (important: adhesive plasters)
- Tick repellent
- Energy bars
- Power bank for your cell phone
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
- Identity card / Passport
If you need equipment or anything else, don't hesitate to contact us! We will take care of the rental and provide you with what you need!
To travel while respecting the environment, the places and the people who welcome us:
- Always ask before photographing people - Leave no traces, do not throw waste
- Do not collect "souvenirs" from protected natural environments and archaeological sites - Always try to follow the paths, do not disturb the animals and do not damage the plants
- Don't waste water and energy, precious resources for the entire planet - Respect the rules established by the owners of the accommodation facilities
Accommodations and Meals
For a sustainable and minimal impact tour, we offer B&Bs and hotels as default accommodation, with a strong focus on sustainability and eco-friendly facilities.
All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included and are typical of the region, sourced locally. Other meals not mentioned in the description of each stage are not included in the fee. For each meal 1 liter of beer/wine/water or soft drinks is included.
From Turin:
From the Torino Lingotto, Porta Nuova or Porta Susa railway stations, take the Canavesana railway line towards Rivarolo Canavese.
At Rivarolo, get off and take the bus to Ceresole Reale.
From Turin-Caselle airport, take the train to Torino Dora station.
At Torino Dora, take the Canavesana railway line towards Rivarolo Canavese.
At Rivarolo, get off and take the bus to Ceresole Reale.
From Milan:
From Milano Centrale station, take the train towards Torino Porta Nuova.
From Porta Nuova station, take the Canavesana railway line towards Rivarolo Canavese.
At Rivarolo, get off and take the bus to Ceresole Reale.
From Milan Malpensa Airport, take the Malpensa Express train to Milano Centrale station.
At Milano Centrale, take a train to Torino Porta Nuova.
At Torino Porta Nuova, get off, change trains and take the Canavesana railway line towards Rivarolo Canavese.
Get off at Rivarolo Canavese station and take the bus to Ceresole Reale.
Alternatively, by bus:
From Milan Malpensa Airport, take the SADEM bus to Torino Porta Susa station.
From Porta Susa station, take the Canavesana railway line towards Rivarolo Canavese.
At Rivarolo, get off and take the bus to Ceresole Reale.
By car from Turin:
Drive towards the northern ring road of Turin, take the Caselle exit and follow the Turin-Caselle highway. Take the third exit towards Rivarolo/Parco Gran Paradiso (SS460) and follow it to Ceresole Reale.
By car from Milan:
Take the A4 motorway towards Turin, exit at Santhià towards Ivrea/Aosta (E25), and in Ivrea exit again and follow the signs for Ceresole Reale/Parco Gran Paradiso.
Contact us if you need a private transfer from Milan/Turin to Canavese or if you need further information on how to reach us.
- Meeting in the morning in Ceresole Reale with the Alpine Guide. Check equipment and travel by car to the TRAD crags around Ceresole
- Exercises at the crag to become familiar with the granite of the valley and with crack climbing techniques
- Pack lunch and relax
- In the afternoon the exercises at the crag will continue
- Dinner and overnight stay at the Le Fonti Minerali refuge
- Alarm clock and breakfast
- Meeting in the morning with the Alpine Guide. Check material and travel by car at the Sergent
- Climbing on multi-pitch routes, chosen based on the level of the participants
- At the end, typical snack and relaxation
- Dinner and overnight stay at the Le Fonti Minerali refuge
- Alarm clock and breakfast
- Meeting in Ceresole Reale with the Alpine Guide. Check material and travel by car to the Caporal or the Aimonin Tower
- Climbing on multi-pitch routes, chosen based on the level of the participants
- At the end, typical snack and relaxation
- Dinner and overnight stay at the Le Fonti Minerali refuge
- Alarm clock and breakfast
- Meeting with the Alpine Guide and moving by car to the Piantonetto dam (1920m)
- Trekking of about 1 hour to the Pontese refuge (2200m)
- Lunch at the refuge (included in the price)
- In the afternoon, optional climbing exercises on the cliffs around the refuge
- Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge
Distance: 2 KM
Positive altitude difference D+: 210M
Negative difference in height D-: 0
Total time: approximately 1h
Maximum height: 2200 m
Minimum height: 1920 m
- Wake up early and have breakfast
- Trekking towards the base of the wall (about 1-3h)
- Change of setup and start of climbing. The route will be chosen based on the level of the participants
- Once at the summit, packed lunch and start the descent (via the normal route or via abseiling)
- Change of setup and return to the refuge
- Snack break and return to the dam car park
- Return by car to Locana
Total return distance: 13 KM
Positive altitude difference D+: 1330M
Negative height difference D-: 1500
Total time: approximately 10 hours
Maximum height: 3360 m
Minimum height: 1920 m
Terms and conditions
- 30% deposit at the time of booking
- Balance due within 15 days of tour departure date
- Cancellation up to 60 days before departure: full refund (100%)
- Cancellation between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% refund
- Cancellation between 30 and 15 days before departure: 30% refund
- Cancellation within 15 days before departure: no refund