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Skill: ***/*
This is graded as an intermediate level ski tour and previous ski touring experience is essential. The terrain is
non-glaciated and whilst most slopes are fairly gentle there are some steeper sections that will be up to 35-40 degrees.
Participants should be competent off-piste skiers capable of skiing 15 - 20 continuous turns off-piste on most slopes and with
the confidence to tackle steeper pitches in tricky conditions.
Stamina: ****
On this tour you can ski with just a light pack as you'll return to the same hotel/hut each night and there's no need to
carry extra gear. However you do need to be fit enough for up to 5-6 hours skinning on consecutive days.
Abruzzo is a remote corner of Italy, just 150km east of Rome. The Apennine range runs through the region and with peaks up
to 2900m there is excellent ski touring in this untouched part of Italy.
Due to the damage caused by the earthquake in 2009 we will not be running this trip in 2010. We hope to run this again in
2011.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Caramanico Terme, famed for its healing thermal waters. There will be a meeting with your guides and the rest
of the group in the evening. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2
To get acclimatised we ascend Monte Rapina (2000m), an ascent of approximately 1000m; if conditions are good there are a
number of different options on the descent through amazing wild landscapes. Return to the Hotel Ede.
Day 3
Today we ascend Monte Amaro (2800m), starting in romantic woodland and finishing with a climb up the steep face. For the
descent we can choose Rava del Ferro or the Rava della Vespa, both unforgettable routes down. It will take approx. 4-5 hrs to
skin up and ski down. Return to the Hotel Ede.
Day 4
Travelling a lonely road to a remote mountain called Tavola Rotonda (2400m), after the climb to the summit there is a
long descent back down to the road. Between 4 – 6 hrs for the day. At the end of the day we have a short drive to the Gran
Sasso area where we meet Susanna and Paolo - the hosts of Rifugio della Rocca where you will stay.
Day 5
Crossing the Campo Imperatore - a truly wild landscape that is hard to match in the Alps, where wolves still roam. We
ascend Monte Camicia East Face (2600m), and ski down a different route in beautiful spring corn-snow. During the day you cover
a long distance but with less climbing. Total duration about 5 hrs. Return to Rifugio della Rocca.
Day 6
Today brings the highlight of the week, a traverse of Monto Prena (2500m), skiing down to the Village of Pretare, where
we are collected by our hosts and finish the day with a marvellous meal at Roccacalascio. This is a long day of 6-8hrs.
Day 7
Whatever we desire: either we take the lifts up from the Village of Assergi to travel into the region of Corno Grande,
the highest of the Gran Sasso Group (2900m) or we ascend Monte Cefalone (2500m). Both options are fantastic and we will
discover more beauty of the Apennine range. Return to Rifugio della Rocca for the final night.
Day 8
Depart after breakfast for the drive back to the airport and flights home.
Skiing in the Apennine Alps
The snow conditions in the Apennine Alps can often be very good as the low pressure systems hit these mountains first
before travelling up to the Dolomites and Alps. The winter usually lasts from November until May. Early March is a good time
for ski touring with spring snow conditions.
The tour takes in two areas, firstly the Maiella National Park, the second a more wild and rugged area within the Gran
Sasso Range. You may even glimpse the Adriatic Sea from the high points on the tour!
Additional Information
Price
Price includes all guide fees and expenses, 7 nights half-board accommodation
Price does not include travel to/from Caramanico, personal insurance, lunches, drinks, uplift costs
Group Size
The maximum group size is 6 with 1 guide.
Accommodation and meals
On this tour we'll stay in 3 nights in the Hotel Ede in Caramanico
www.hotelede.it and 4 nights in the Rifugio della Rocca in the abandoned village of
Rocca Calascio
www.rifugiodellarocca.it
Caramanico is renowned for its thermals spas (so bring swimgear!)
The Rifugio has an excellent restaurant and a selection of rooms sleeping 2-4 people. Some of the rooms are in other
buildings around the village.
Subject to availability the single room supplement in the Hotel Ede is €60 for 3 nights. Single rooms are not available
in the Rifugio della Rocca.
Equipment
A copy of our
recommended kit list will be sent to you at the time of
booking.
Skins, Ice-axe, boot & ski crampons are essential for this tour.
Everyone is expected to ski at all times with the three essential items of avalanche safety equipment: transceiver,
shovel and probe. If you ski off-piste regularly we recommend you purchase your own set and we have a special offer on BCA’s
excellent DTS Tracker. Please ask us for details.
Equipment Hire
This is a remote area with no hire shops. Kit can be hired from the guide and you must let us know well in advance if you
need to hire any items.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Rome Ciampino and the transfer to Caramanico is about 150kms.
Easyjet fly there from London Gatwick, East Midlands, Bristol and Newcastle.
Ryanair fly there from Glasgow, Liverpool, Luton, Stansted and East Midlands
We suggest that the group meets at the airport and hires transport for the week.
Recommended Maps
Gran Sasso, Carte dei sentiere 1:25000
Gruppo Della Majella 1:25000
Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured for ski touring covering personal accident, rescue and third party
risks. You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.
If you are looking to purchase insurance for your trip we recommend
SNOWCARD. They specialise in travel insurance for adventure sports particularly skiing
and snowboarding. Their rates for both single trip and annual policies are very competitive.
For details on their policies and to get a quote CLICK HERE or contact our office for further details.