Garda Ferrata #3: Monte Albano (Experts) Traditional Geocache
Garda Ferrata #3: Monte Albano (Experts)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Lake Garda is a via ferrata paradise. Many of them were built through wars, in order to provide easier passages for soldiers i.e. to high bunkers and alike. Luckily with no wars anymore we take the best out of it for fun. Old trails are renewed, new ones built.
This little series intends to show you the essential ones around Riva and Arco in three different categories.
First, there is the beginner level: The Sentiero attrezzato Colodri (visit link) . It is a short and easy ferrata which is often used by climbers to descend. Experienced ferraristi may even go without any gear, but of course we do not recommend it.
Second, there is the advanced level: The Via dell'Amicizia, the friendship trail (visit link) . As a typical mountain ferrata it leads you to a summit (the Cima SAT). The Amicizia goes up 1200 altitude meters, half of it is climbing, and it contains the most popular and one of the longest iron ladders of the Alps. You need endurance and mountain experience (weather, falling stones, etc.).
Third, there is the Expert level: Via attrezzata Monte Albano (Mori) (visit link) . It is much shorter (only ca. 400 altitude meters), and does not peak at a summit, but that does not make it easier. It is a very airy trail with lots of exposed passages and crossing sections, the most popular one being the “Traversata degli Angeli”. It is more of a sports ferrata and therefore requires some power in addition to endurance, too.
If you like this series you might feel to explore the area further on the hunt for more climbs. We recommend the “Che” Guevara and the Pisetta, both tough challenges beyond what you experienced here … maybe you want to place a container there even so we could log it then when we come back ;-) Also, a geocache is already available at the Drena ferrata GCP74F (visit link) .
Please take all necessary precautions for a mountain tour: There are lots of websites on the internet where you can find further information on the trails, including even You Tube, etc. You need a helmet, ferrata gear, respect the weather, bring lots of water, etc. 4 liters might just be enough on hot summer days …! You can often buy gear fairly cheap at one of the Arco mountain stores, make sure to compare prices though.
Enjoy and take care! Remember: You go at your own risk and responsibility!!
A general note on cache maintenance: Obi11 regularly visits the area and will share the maintenance with me.
To reach the cache, follow the signs to the via ferrata parking in Mori from where you need to take a half hour walk. There is an emergency descend a few meters after the first step. If you are already at your limit or close to you should take it, as it does get harder up there. Continue to climb and traverse, with lots of nice picture spots (make sure to post some here!), to the section marked with IX, where you will find the cache 1-2m to the right in a very visible niche in the rock under some stones. You do not need to do anything crazy, the cache is easily retrievable from the path. Climb up further, sign the via ferrata book, too, and enjoy the last part which I felt is the most difficult one. To descend just follow the well marked signs down to where you parked your car. There are a number of other caches in the area but not directly combinable with the ferrata. You can do those before / after though. And remember: The iron is for security, not for climbing :-P
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