New ice climbs in Val Travenanzes, Dolomites

On the 6th of February Santi Padros suggested we climb some ice in Val Travenanzes; the offer was irrefutable given that I've never climbed in this beautiful corner of the Dolomites before! We were joined by Diana Calabuig, Santi's friend from Catalonia. During the approach one could hear us chatting in a mix of Spanish, Italian and Catalan, and singing little songs stuck in our heads, until suddenly we spotted some icefalls and our plans changed instantly!

We discussed matters for a few seconds and then decided to skip the classic icefalls in Val Travenanzes and instead try these drips which rarely come into condition. We abandoned the path and waded through the snow (fortunately it has snowed little this year) and reached the drips a short while later... wonderful!

"Todo me parece bonito..." Following this mantra, we climb the first 2 lines, beautiful and by no means easy, especially La Chula with its slightly overhanging exit. After this we traversed left and reached the base of a couloir, where we climbed a mixed pitch which without cams became even more satisfying, and then finished more easily up ice.

What a day... I may not have seen Val Travenanzes, but the excitement of having climbed something new and having had such a fun day with 2 special people is something truly magical!