Alpine Logistics

Val D’Ossola borders with Switzerland. Thanks to its higher than average winter snow fall it’s a haven for ski-mountaineers and in the mid-seasons a handful of quality gneiss and granite crags provide good climbing.

Crovea is one of these crags. At 800m and south facing it seemed an excellent option for the cool spring northern Italy is currently experiencing. The majority of climbers we found there were German-speaking and had come on a day-trip climbing in Italy from Switzerland.

The crag itself is in a lovely location, with a flat sandy base and trees for shade (when they have leaves), overlooking the nearby villages and snowy peaks. Very relaxing.

The climbing couldn’t be more different in style to what we had got used to during the winter, so it took a few climbs to warm up my head, fingertips and calf muscles to the smooth slabs. Many of the routes continue into a second pitch which, with a 70m rope, can be run into one long climb. These tend to be more varied, including cracks, flakes and overhangs which, when like me you don’t like slabs very much, makes for more fun climbing!

The rock is solid, clean and generally very enjoyable. A new sector has recently been opened near-by but this will have to wait until next time!

What to do for Easter? I had spoken to Manuel countless times about the great places to go climbing and walking in the UK. Sadly Britain’s beautiful mountains, coastlines and countryside are not well known abroad; it was time for a visit. 

Departing from Kent on Good Friday we managed to get past the M25 with no hold-ups, it seemed too good to be true; I had promised Manuel heavy traffic and queues. Sure enough though we had our share on the M6 north of Birmingham. 

It was a long time since I had been back here and I began to feel quite excited when we passed the sign welcoming us to Cumbria. Typical English countryside, taken for granted when you see it every day, rolled away into the distance; green fields, forests, sheep and a moody sky. 

Before leaving we had checked the forecast: the symbol for most days was a cloud with the sun poking out from one side and rain drops falling from the other. “What does that mean?” asked Manuel…I suspected he was about to find out! 

The next day we woke up in our campsite in Borrowdale valley. I zipped the tent back up as fast as I had unzipped it. The ground was covered in snow and there was a strong, cold wind blowing from the north…not Shepards Crag today then! 

We spent the next few days enjoying walks around Keswick. The air was very wintry and the light was magical; beautiful. Manuel was very taken by the lakes, rivers and lush moss-covered forests and dry stone walls. Every day we were accompanied by sun, snow, rain and wind in turn, it was very dramatic.  

We didn’t manage to do any climbing but I was happy that Manuel had finally seen this beautiful part of the world, which we will no doubt return to in warmer conditions to get on the rock!