The Bird, a pearl of the Dolomites by Giovanni Groaz, Massimo Faletti

After some repeats in recent years, notably in 2015, 2017, 2020 and 2022 and after having climbed the route with different quantities and qualities of ice, I believe I can safely describe this as as one of the most beautiful, moderate mixed climbs in this part of the Dolomites. Established on 25 February 2003 by Massimo Faletti and Giovanni Groaz and initally called Gola del Pettirosso, it was re-equipped in 2020 by Mauro Mabboni and Diego Dellai and renamed The Bird in honour of their friend Jim Bridwell who passed away in 2018.

The route is located about 150-200m before Flauto Magico, set in a deep, narrow gorge. The line starts up a 40-meter corner, climbed either by bridging delicately or jamming. There are some pegs ins-situ, however a selection of cams will be found useful here. After the first belay, equipped with new bolts in the niche on the right after the chimney, the next pitch transforms into a pure ice line in good conditions. When there is little ice however, this presents itself in the form of thin hanging daggers; climb past these to a difficult and narrow chimney at the top. This year, for example, there wads a huge icefall here and consequently easy to climb. Yet another example of how subjective grades can be in ice climbing ...

The third pitch follows a narrow icy chimney with wedged boulder; the ice improves the higher you get. The belay is located after 50 meters in a niche on the right.

The fourth pitch, on easy ice and in the sun, is a pleasure to climb and leads to a large ledge and a huge tree, from which it is possible to abseil

In my opinion, this route mistakenly sees far too little traffic and it's a real pearl of the Dolomites.

by Daniel Ladurner

Updated topo on the website of Massimo Faletti: www.mountainguidesdolomites.com