Following a very successful meet in this region in 2023, the Club has planned a return for 2025.

The Aosta Valley and the province of Piemonte is located north and west of the province’s capital, Torino, (or Turin as we know it in English), and is home to some of the least-known gems in all of Italian climbing. We are excited for this opportunity to introduce members to some of its many delights.

The meet will be a moveable feast, sampling different styles and venues beginning in the Aosta Valley and reaching a grand finale in Monte Viso, probably Italy’s most famous and celebrated peak outside of the Dolomites and the Gran Paradiso.

We will spend about 3/4 days in each venue. Costs of accommodation at half-board vary from about 50 to 65 Euros per night in each rifugio. (Some, but not all are CAI with reciprocal rights).

Travel to the area is best via Turin airport, unless coming through the Aosta valley by car.

The plan is to visit a selection of venues from the list below, with our choices determined by the weather and hut availability:

1. Arnad/Albard/Courtil - Based at the Forte di Machaby, a repurposed Napoleonic barracks high in the chestnut forests above the Aosta valley. Great multi-pitch slab and wall climbing, mostly on fixed sport protection. Our hosts are Laura & Andrea who run the private hostel.

2. Piantonetto Valley - Our usual visit to this wonderful cirque of mountains on the south side of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Based at the Rifugio Pontese (2200m) an hour’s walk from the end of the road and parking. Our host is Davide ‘La Pirata’ and Lorenzo.

This area offers a huge choice of gneiss rock routes, suitable for all levels of climber, on a dozen or more peaks. This is a core ‘trad’ venue with judicious bolting where needed. The centrepieces are the Tribolazione at the back of the valley and the ‘Dru’ of the valley, the Becco di Valsoera, which boasts magnificent modern rock routes, many put up by local AC members Andrea Giorda and Maurizio Oviglia.

In case of bad weather, we’ll retreat to the valley base in Noasca near the superb Orco Valley granite. Hostel/camping available.

3. Rocca Sbarua - A pleasure garden of granite spires set in a chestnut forest and renowned as the birthplace of Gervasutti’s climbing adventures. We will be based at the Rif. Melano-Casa Canada (CAI reciprocal rights), which looks serenely towards Mote Viso in the distance. Great food, great welcome, great climbing.

4. Monte Viso - Based at the Rif. Giacoletti (CAI reciprocal rights) where our hosts are Laura and Andrea, visitors will have easy access to the rock of Punta Udine and other satellite peaks. Plenty of classics to choose from and a chance to climb the main peak itself (from the Quintino Sella refuge). A fitting crescendo to the meet...

Guidebooks:- Plaisir Sud: Band11.  Valle del’Orco; Maurizio Oviglia.  A Sud del Paradiso; Gianni Predan & Rinaldo Sartore.  Rocca Sbarua: M. Oviglia.

Meet Coordinators:

Adele Long - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

& Richard Nadin - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / + 44 07836588216