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!