22Feb2022
We overtake a group of Austrians and with firm step arrive already at the first ferrata sections, in an increasingly harsh and wild setting which I find fascinating: it is the first time I have come here and the Cjanevate shows itself in all its true mountain pride... not for nothing, with its 2.769 m, is it the second-highest peak in Friuli after the nearby Coglians.
We climb over ledges, up gullies and short vertical sections and after a little more than four hours of walking we can sign the summit book and take the classic ritual photos near the cross. The weather is not great but still allows us to enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains of the Valentin Alm and the remains of the Eiskar glacier. We eat and immediately set off back; everything will be simple and downhill but we are nevertheless in the high mountains and in a blink of an eye we find ourselves immersed in the clouds amid thunder, rain and hailstones that make everything more complicated.
We drop down until we reach a shelter/bivouac carved into the rock by an exposed ledge that seems to be a mirage; some of us go in while others just sit under the rock, sheltered from the rain. Luck continues to assist us, for in the bivouac there is a local mountaineer who had spent the night here with his girlfriend; a striking and hospitable person who kindly offers us a glass of wine and tells us interesting stories and anecdotes of his life in mountain with a smile. Among the various stories, we learn the fact that the inauguration of the shelter in which we find ourselves, called the Caverna dell’Amicizia “Celso Craighero” by the CAI Ravascletto - Alpenverein Mauthen took place this very day, and it’s a highly appropriate name – Friendship Cavern – given the friendly mood that has established itself. After some laughter and attempts at songs, we are dried and warmed by the sun and can resume out journey down to Base Camp after greeting our host.
The descent is a bit slippery due to the wet grass, but soon we are again at the Monte Croce Pass; in the square a gazebo of the CNSAS-FVG has been set up, together with a hospitality tent to continue the anniversary celebrations, with many people converging here before or after completing one of the various activities, from sports climbing to guided tours and conferences.
After a few chats accompanied by a couple of beers with some people I had the pleasure of meeting on the occasion, I take my bike and head home, fully satisfied with the experience.
Find out about the ideas and offers for this experience in Friuli Venezia Giulia
Leonardo Portelli
Enrico Cappellaro
Andrej Bandelj
