The Dolomites of Italy - Rock climbing, via ferrata, hikes, ski

UNESCO World Heritage Site
On June 26, 2009, Italy's stunning Dolomite mountains have been declared a United Nations World Heritage Site. The nine Dolomite mountain groups, spanning 142.000 hectares and given 85 hectares of border areas for a total of 231.000 hectares, are spread over fiveprovinces: Trento, Bolzano, Belluno, Pordenone and Udine. The Dolomites have joined the world's other cultural and natural wonders on the World Heritage List.
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation's World Heritage Committee unanimously approved Italy's bid at its meeting today in Seville, Spain.

The nine groups include the Pelmo and Croda da Lago mountains in the Veneto region between the Cadore, Zoldano and Ampezzo valleys; the Marmolada massif between the Trentino and Veneto regions, boasting the highest peak in the Dolomites (3.343 metres) and the largest glacier; the Pale di San Martino, Pale di San Lucano and the Belluno Dolomites, mostly in the Veneto region but partially in the Trentino region; the Friuli Dolomites and Oltre Piave mountains, the furthest to the east and divided between the Friuli provinces of Pordenone and Udine; the Settentrionali Dolomites between Alto Adige and the Veneto regions including the Cadini peaks, the pale mountains of the Sesto Dolomites, the austere Ampezzo Dolomites, the lunar Dolomites of Fanes, Senes and Braies; the Puez-Odle mountains in the Alto Adige region and now a splendid natural park; the Sciliar, Catinaccio and Latemar mountains between Alto Adige and Trentino; the Brenta Dolomites, the furthest to the west, still home to the brown bear and all in the Trentino; and the Rio delle Foglie, a deep gorge with exposed layers of prehistoric rocks strata revealing the secrets of their creation and what the climate and the environment were like 250 million years ago.

Mountains for everyone
In 1997, thanks to Sakae’s enterprise and his great passion for mountain climbing, I was invited to Japan to give some "climbing lessons". Speaking with the people attending the course, I realized that the Dolomites were almost unknown in Japan. Somebody had heard of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, but that was all. I was very surprised, because I believe that everyone should visit these mountains at least once in their lifetime.
Anyone who loves nature will find something here that is different to other mountains areas in the world. Marvelous peaks emerge from green alpine meadows and vast forests of spruce and larch.  The peaks change color constantly as the sun rises and travels across the sky during the day.  You can admire many shades of pink and red in the sunrise and later the burning reds of the sunset.  Well-marked trails allow excursionists to move around without any problem and enjoy views of peerless beauty.

There is a rich tradition of Alpine climbing in the Dolomites. Many of the great routes of the Alps are to be found here and the area continues to be the home  of some very strong and talented climbers.

In fact, the Dolomites are a climber’s paradise. There are routes here of every grade and length and every climber, from beginner to expert, will  find something to match his abilities and ambitions here.

You could choose either to do an 8c+ single pitch on a crag or to do a 200 meter, grade III route on Torri del Sella.
On the Tofane there are some great lines from 400 to 900 meters in length; there are well known modern routes of 1000 meters or more on the sunny and solid south face of the Marmolada or on the scary north face of the Civetta. There are the huge overhangs on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo; the never-ending 1600 meters of north Arete on the Agner. The choice is massive.
Most routes can be climbed in a day by leaving in the early morning from your hotel or campsite. For ascents of over 1000 meters or for ones needing a long walk-in, the best option is to stay in a mountain hut. In the Dolomites there are more than a hundred huts, famous for their hospitality and great food. All of them are warm and comfortable, and most have showers and hot water. There is a choice of 2 or 4 bed rooms, or a large dormitory. You can reach most of them along a pleasant path with great views, others on cable cars or chair lifts. Only a few huts can be reached by car.

The modern routes are equipped with plentiful bolts  and the rock is almost always very solid. Success  on these routes requires a combination of technical ability and a good level of climbing fitness and stamina. Sport routes are to be found at a large number of venues. All are well bolted and many are in beautiful surroundings.

For the classic routes the grades are the UIAA grades, which go from I to XII and for aid climbing, grades from A0 to A4 are used.  On the modern and sport routes the French scale is used; it goes from grade 4a to grade 9b.

There are alot of crags also: sport climbers will also find in the Ampezzo valley a fantastic place to play, with the added value of the natural beauty of the locations of the numerous crags in this area. To get to most of them, you only have to walk for about 15 minutes. Some of them are really overhanging (for example Erto) so that it is possible to climb also on rainy days.

I hope that the information given here is sufficient for you to start your journey that, I’m certain, will be an unforgettable experience. A vacation on the Dolomites is something unique, a priceless experience that is good for both body and soul. Finally I ask all those that may visit these valleys to respect local customs and traditions and, most of all, to respect the mountains: only this way can they give you the best of themselves and not only your alpine experience will grow, but also your heart.