Dolomites - Marmolada west ridge PUNTA PENIA

An ascent of the highest summit on the Marmolada massif in the Dolomites, Northern Italy, via the Via Ferrata up the west ridge. The Marmolada is the highest mountain in the Dolomites and has seen its fair share of glacier collapse and avalanche. The old bucket ski lift from Lago Fedaia is out of use, damaged by an avalanche in 2020. This was our second attempt to summit, the first being 10 years ago after heavy snowfall.

[@SetForAdventures]

Amazing route Sue been looking forward to this climb and with no uplift a summit definitely earned here 🇮🇹🏔️🙌🙌 Nice to see the chuff’s looking for scraps from you guys 🤩 If you climbed Marmolada again would you tackle the glacier? Or descend the via Ferrata The refuge looked great 👍 our Bothy’s just don’t compare do they ! Great climb best regards to you and Fave 👍🤠 Simon

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Hi Simon! Thanks for your interest, always look forward to the chat 😁 If I ascend Marmolada again I would descend via the Ferrata. I just think the glacier, although not difficult, is way too fragile. But I guess the authorities would close the route if it became dangerous. We often discuss the mountain huts and compare what we have here. It would be lovely to have such a facility in our mountains, though sadly I fear they might be misused by the wrong clientele. Evidenced by the amount of litter we see in our country 😡 I hope you enjoyed the Alps… I’ve been speculating as to what you were up to 😉

[@SetForAdventures]

@@FIVE-FOOTLyth take your point regarding the litter ect 😢 your not wrong but this climb is something I’d love to have a go at (within my skill set and stunning) thanks for the inspiration Sue 🏔️⛰️🏔️ Big chunk of editing now ahead of the Alps series All the very best 🤠🙏🏼

[@lifesahobby]

Oh.. I'm so jealous... love the handy ropes There is a lady running with her dog at 4 minutes? Very inspiring film, even it i do feel slightly useless at the moment with illness. You got some amazing views and photos. well done guys. And thanks for editing and sharing

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Hey, Owen, sorry you’re poorly, that sucks 😢 Yes, I remember the couple virtually running down the via Ferrata. They were so young (sigh) 😉 We did get quite a lot done in the Dolomites, I love it there. Can highly recommend it. Hope you’re perking up again now… take care

[@lifesahobby]

@@FIVE-FOOTLyth i am relaxed and having fun regardless. yeah i know that feeling... nothing to lose but the dog. I am sure that dog chased a motor bike later on that day and their evening was spent chasing the dog around a city.

[@fishingcampborneo]

here to support my friends.. thank you for sharing interesting and entertaining videos.. keep up the enthusiasm and always success for all of us

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thank you! Pleased you enjoy the content 😊

[@no_soy_rubio]

Amazing Sue! A little scary seeing the damage the (possible) avalanche caused! Shows that nature must be respected! That glacier was a little sketchy but oh my so worthwhile, can see why you returned! Very interesting re the war remnants and the City of Ice!

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Hi Matt, and thank you 😊 such a shame about the glacier. And sadder still to see the damage caused at the upper ski station. Yes! The history in the Dolomites is absolutely fascinating, and so much evidence of it in the mountains (even inside the mountains). Appreciate your interest! All the best, Sue 😊

[@catchyoulater.5836]

Well videoed, showing the spectacular views and route. As well as giving good advice when needed. A great achievement and a well earned beer at the end. Well done 👍

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thanks Mick 😊 Yep, it was one of those very satisfying beers 🍻

[@WyeExplorer]

An extremely good trip Sue. That poor mountain has been through some changes. It's one you have to keep an eye on clearly it being so unstable. Still, it attracts attention from abroad and we're not speaking of just the English. Great to be interviewed by the Japanese - a very cool hut with awesome views. Well, everyone is a nano contributor to the carbon in our atmosphere - it's that nano it can be dismissed as having any impact at all but it's the collective travel and consumer lifestyle isn't it? Together it's big and with that big chunks of ice are receding. This aside I enjoyed the mountain and you guys on it. Mark

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thanks Mark 😊 yeah, it’s a sad fact that the glaciers are retreating at a rapid pace. Many different factors! It’s disturbing in this instance to see how quickly. Last year (I think?), the route up Mont Blanc was closed off due to the state of the main approach. Not just the poor snow but the rockfall tumbling down the Grand Coulouir. It’s lethal! And the glaciers in Switzerland in a bad way last year too.

[@WyeExplorer]

@@FIVE-FOOTLyth A pleasure Sue - hey I spoke of the Japs and the hut to. But yeah thought creates eh? Our collective minds are powerful. It's a debate of course but there is no denying it we have been pumping carbon into the atmosphere for generations. Weather is different from climate. So tragic a change.

[@IanTupmanOutdoors]

Great stuff Sue and Dave, been waiting for this one. The difference in the glacier to when I did that route seven years ago is incredible, as you say, very sketchy now. The bucket lift had broken down so we had to walk up and down as well! The views from the summit are outstanding and you got some great photos. Did you visit the war museum at Passo Fedaia? There are some really interesting artifacts and stories from the war.

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Glad you enjoyed it Ian 😁 we meant to visit the museum but the beer made us forget 🙁😂 I was quite surprised at the distance still to go from the Forcella. I hated that bucket lift… when we used it I panicked, and jumped on leaving Dave to get in the one behind. He laughed all the way up 😂

[@ningenneko-coversong]

In my country, maybe there are not so much mountain like this, though it's the country of mountains. Maybe for you, "Ain't no mountain high enough".

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thank you for your comment.. Marvin Gaye? Or Diana Ross? 😊 Either way, I hope the views make you sing ☺️

[@yourlocalexplorers]

Marmolada is something magical! you're so brave to climb up this trail. wonderfully captured! are you around the Dolomites? 😍

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Hi you two, and thank you 🥰 Yes, we spent 2 weeks in the Dolomites. It’s my fifth visit here, I’ve been coming here for many years now. I used to climb a little here, but now enjoy the historic via Ferratas. And 5 years ago we discovered the joy of cycling here too. The mountains may not be as high, but the amount of rock is like nowhere else in the alps. All the best! Sue 😘

[@yourlocalexplorers]

just asked because we are living here and we can only agree with you @@FIVE-FOOTLyth safe travels 😍

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

@@yourlocalexplorers OOOOHHHH! You lucky people. If I was to choose where I could live, it is this area of the Dolomites. It's my absolute favourite destination. Sigh 🥰

[@adrianbell4597]

We were fortunate enough to enjoy this 10 years ago. after an unlikely snowfall. Many stemples were under Ice, but the cable at least was visible or retrievable. A friend is hoping to repeat the route this year, but assuming the ski lift is still out of action, do you remember how long the circuit took to complete? I think I've read somewhere that something in the order of 12 hours is required. Descent by the Via Ferrata would add even more time I imagine. Thanks for a very useful account and your observations of recent developments.

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Hi, thanks very much for your comments, they are really appreciated. The lift looked completely beyond repair. Checked my Strava feed, it took us 9 hours 21 mins including breaks. The glacier makes for a more rapid descent but it was in a sorry state. There were some people behind us who fell back a very long way so I guess anywhere between 8 to 12 hours depending on your experience and route choice. I agree that descending by the Ferrata would take longer. Well done on your ascent under snow & ice! All the best for your friend, hope it’s an enjoyable ascent 👍 Sue

[@adrianbell4597]

@@FIVE-FOOTLyth Thanks so much for your very prompt and thorough response. Keep safe.

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

@@adrianbell4597 no problem at all! Love the feedback, & a pleasure to rekindle the memories 😊

[@agesadventures]

That's quite the trek you did! Certainly worthy of the beer at the end! In the cabin that was self-serve, was it for even getting your own drinks from the bar? I enjoyed the views and the history you told along the way😁

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thank you, really pleased you enjoyed it. It did say self service, but the owner was ever present and eager to serve 😄 I reckon you’d have to vault over the counter to get to the beer 😂

[@agesadventures]

@@FIVE-FOOTLyth vaulting is good exercise 😁