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CLIMBING IN THE DOLOMITES
Whether you climb 5.4 or 5.14, the walls of the Dolomites have you covered. The climbs we’ll be on are all pure rock routes, but with an inarguably alpine feel.
We’ll move between skills sessions and climbing routes of all sizes with the goal of making you an efficient, competent and confident climber. With small groups, short approaches, light packs and rock shoes, we can concentrate on the freedom of moving on stone. From ridges to roofs, faces, and slabs, from casual to severe, and from one pitch to forty (not kidding!), the Dolomites have it all.
If you feel comfortable climbing 5.8-5.10 in the gym, this trip is going to be perfect for you. Unlike the cracks of Yosemite or the tiny holds of Smith Rock, Dolomite limestone tends to be a little - well, either more fun, more straightforward, or both.
Each day we’ll head out in small groups and we’ll make sure you’re paired with climbers and climbs that match your ability so you don’t have to worry about being held back or pushed too far. Our expert guides will help you through the training and skills you need both on the ground and on route.
Our low ratios are what make this program unique. For instructional day we will pair up to four climbers per guide, while multi-pitch days will be strictly two climbers per guide to maximize your learning and give you the best experience of these incredible mountains.
FOOD & ACCOMMODATIONS
We’ll start our trip in Cortina d’Ampezzo (or more commonly just Cortina).
A picturesque Italian mountain town in the heart of the Dolomites, Cortina is the perfect hub for exploring mountains. We’ll enjoy the comfort of the Hotel Ambra Cortina, and with a range of fantastic bakeries and restaurants from pizzerias to wine bars and Michelin-starred fine dining, eating and drinking in Cortina is as much fun as it sounds.
In addition to our lovely hotel, we’ll also spend a night in one of our favorite mountain huts, the Rifugio Scoiattoli. Scoiattolo means squirrel, and the hut was built by a local mountain guide and member of the famous Scoiattoli Cortina climbing club. Sitting beneath the iconic Cinque Torri, these days the refuge is more like an alpine hotel than anything else, complete with showers, comfy beds and delicious food. It also has the most incredible views on the planet, and is about a ten minute walk from the climbs.
We like to try hard, but we also like to relax and live well, so we’ve hand-picked our favorite hotels, restaurants, bakeries and snacks to give you a taste of it all.
The Schedule
Day 1: Benvenuti a Cortina!
While our trip officially starts in Cortina, we highly recommend spending a day or two in Venice to shake off the jet lag, go to the opera, ride a gondola, and eat some amazing food. We have a whole list of recommendations on what to eat and where to stay.
You get yourself to the Piazzale Roma in Venice where we will have a shuttle waiting for you at 2pm. A two hour ride will take you to Cortina.
You’ll have the afternoon to relax, settle in and explore a little before we head out to a welcome dinner for our first taste of some of the dishes that make the region famous.
Day 2: Single Pitch Climbing
We’ll start the day right with some proper Italian coffees and a breakfast buffet before we head out for a day of climbing. The first day we will stick to single-pitch routes (routes that are one rope length) and make sure every one is on the same page with belay technique and safety protocols. After a day on the rock we’ll head back and let you loose for the evening.
Day 3: Multipitch Workshop
We’ll once again start with breakfast before driving up to the Cinque Torri to climb for the day. The towers of the Cinque Torri (Five Towers, though there are actually more like nine) offer a huge array of routes from one or two pitches to five or six, making them the perfect place to practice leading, multi-pitch climbing and technical descents.
We’ll spend the morning near the ground working on a variety of skills and workshopping anchors and transitions for both up and down. We’ll practice moving groups of two and three in and out of anchors, working on belay techniques, efficient multipitch ascending and descending, and tips for fast and clean rope and station management. We’ll also dive into safe and effective tactics for multipitch rappels and how to get off routes quickly and securely.
We’ll be spending the night at the gorgeous Rifugio Scoiattoli, where a warm bed a three-course meal will be waiting for you.
Day 4: Multipitch Climbing
After another great breakfast, we’ll head out in small teams of two climbers and a guide to climb. This day is meant to be pure fun as our guides lead you up a collection of Dolomites classics, but it’s also a chance for you to put all the skills you’ve learned into action on a world-class alpine rock climb.
After a day on the rock we’ll head back to town and let you loose for the evening.
Day 5: Multipitch Climbing
After another great breakfast, we’ll head out in small teams of two climbers and a guide to climb. After getting a taste of multi-pitch climbing you'll have the opportunity to choose from a variety of options. You can go big, climbing routes in the Tre Cime di Lavaredo or the Tofana di Rozes. You can work on lead climbing. You can focus on skills. Maybe you and another climber want to try a via ferrata. Or if your body is feeling tired you could take a rest day.
After a day on the rock we’ll head back to town and let you loose for the evening.
Day 6: Multipitch Climbing
This will be our last day of climbing and you can choose just about anything.
After another great breakfast, we’ll head out in small teams of two climbers and a guide to climb. This day is meant to be pure fun as our guides lead you up a collection of Dolomites classics, but it’s also a chance for you to put all the skills you’ve learned into action on a world-class alpine rock climb. With our small teams, we can literally climb anything we want, from the Tre Cime di Lavaredo to the Tofana di Rozes, and you’ll have a world-class guide to ask questions and help you along the way.
After a day of climbing we will celebrate with one final group dinner.
Day 7: Heading Home
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and you’ll have to go home. A short journey from hotel to airport should have you on your way. Of course we recommend staying a few days to relax, but that one’s up to you.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
Giulia Monego
Silvia Loreggian
Silvia Loreggian
IFMGA Mountain Guide / Superwoman
A local through and through and our expert in all things Italian, Giulia was born in Venice and fell in love with the mountains sliding on snow in the Dolomites. She grew up as a ski racer, then switched to competing on the Freeride World tour, and is one of only a handful of women to complete the IFMG
IFMGA Mountain Guide / Superwoman
A local through and through and our expert in all things Italian, Giulia was born in Venice and fell in love with the mountains sliding on snow in the Dolomites. She grew up as a ski racer, then switched to competing on the Freeride World tour, and is one of only a handful of women to complete the IFMGA certification in Italy. Giulia lives in Chamonix, France and works, skis and climbs full time. These days she even loves warm rock almost as much as cold snow, and can’t wait to bring her local knowledge to our programs in her old stomping ground.
Silvia Loreggian
Silvia Loreggian
Silvia Loreggian
IFMGA Aspirant Mountain Guide
Silvia was born in Padova, near Italy’s Dolomites, to a family in love with the mountains. She too fell in love early, and has spent most of her life pursuing her two passions: the mountains and travelling. Silvia lives and works these days in the heart of the Dolomites, and has chased her vertical dreams thro
IFMGA Aspirant Mountain Guide
Silvia was born in Padova, near Italy’s Dolomites, to a family in love with the mountains. She too fell in love early, and has spent most of her life pursuing her two passions: the mountains and travelling. Silvia lives and works these days in the heart of the Dolomites, and has chased her vertical dreams through the Dolomites and the Alps, and to Patagonia, Nepal, and in many other corners of the world that offer beautiful walls to climb. Passionate about climbing in all its forms, from the crag, to training, to big walls, Silvia does it all. She is one exam away from completing her certification, and we hope she’ll be joining us as a full IFMGA Mountain Guide this summer!
Chris Wright
Silvia Loreggian
Chris Wright
IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Guide
Now!Climbing’s founder and lead guide, Chris has climbed, skied and eaten his way across the globe. Winner of the “Gold Medal of Alpinism,” the Piolet d’Or for the first ascent of 7041m Link Sar in Pakistan, he’s as excited about his next cappuccino as he is about his next big climb. I
IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Guide
Now!Climbing’s founder and lead guide, Chris has climbed, skied and eaten his way across the globe. Winner of the “Gold Medal of Alpinism,” the Piolet d’Or for the first ascent of 7041m Link Sar in Pakistan, he’s as excited about his next cappuccino as he is about his next big climb. In addition to being an instructor for the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), Chris has spent his summer seasons working, climbing, playing and eating in the Alps since 2014.
