Capanna Margherita, from Passo dei Salati
Introduction
Easy mountaineering excursion although the altitude may cause some problems.
Description
Start from the Gnifetti refuge rather early (5.00-5.30). The first stretch done in the dark due to the very steep hour leads to the first col (where there is the first deviation for the Piramide Vincent) you can see the wall of the Piramide Vincent on the right and the Lys glacier on the left. The ascent continues less steeply, leaving behind on the right the Bivacco Giordano with the imposing statue of the Cristo delle Cime placed there in 1955 (it recently celebrated its 50th birthday on 04-09-2005), the Corno Nero, the Ludwigshöe and the Punta Parrot, while on the left the peaks of the Lyskamm rise up, thus reaching the Colle del Lys (4250 m), we go down a slight descent of a few hundred metres and then start climbing again to the Colle Gnifetti. This brings us to the last steep slope that leads to the Capanna Margherita and Punta Gnifetti. The hut, clinging with metal ropes to the ice and snow, dominates the whole group and the panorama on days without mist is indescribable. Among the myriad of peaks that can be admired, the Matterhorn and the Mont Blanc group stand out. For the return journey, you can follow the same route as on the outward journey.
.Riferimenti Bibliografici
- Valle d'Aosta oltre il sentiero - Pietro Giglio, Matteo Giglio - CDA, Torino, 1994
- Monte Rosa, Guida dei Monti d'Italia - Gino Buscaini - CAI e TCI, Milano, 1991