“Rock climbing in the Dolomites” by Heidi Farrington

Cima Grande di Lavaredo, Normal route.

In the second part of July, when the sun was still shining in the Dolomites, I had the chance to climb some of the classics around Cortina d’Ampezzo together with Heidi . Cima Grande di Lavaredo, normal route, all the Cinque Torri (YES!) and the south arete of Sass de Stria. Check out her report. Thanks Heidi :-)

I have only been climbing for two years… having been introduced to the sport on a via ferrata in West Virginia, USA … In the year following that experience I began looking for other via ferratas and learned about the routes in the Dolomites. I found Alberto online and started up a correspondence with him with the plan to spend a week doing these routes.  During the year and a half leading up to my trip I started to do some actual climbing with a guide in New York that I connected with via Alberto.  By the time I got to Italy this year I was ready to do top rope climbing, albeit still very much a beginner.  I can’t say enough about Alberto. He is very knowledgeable and capable and talented at what he does – which is keeping me alive and making sure I was challenged appropriately.  I had the best time climbing with him. He never rushed me, always encouraged me, gave me help when I needed it, and caught me when I slipped.  My family all think I am nuts, taking up rock climbing at the “old age” of 50 .. but with a guide like Alberto I feel blessed to be able to.  We spent five days together and I was never bored. When I got anxious or fearful Alberto always knew to slow down and give me time to become comfortable again. He is full of positive reinforcement and patiently kept repeating his lessons to me (“don’t worry about what is over your head, worry about where you are going to put your feet”). He is a great conversationalist and a great photographer and I hope I’ll get to climb again with him in the future.