"marmolata"

We climbed the Via Vinatzer lower part at least 16 Pitches and combination with "Messner" variation upper part 11 Pitches. It's long climbing day and we are totally exhausted when we reached to the Punta Rocca 3309m. So we were in a great hurry to reach last cable car, hopefully not struggle my own feet to descend. In vain! The last one has been going away and the station emergency room was fully covered with snow. Thus we had to descent over the north flank! Although from below the face looks bare and some parts covered with Rocks and debris. The slope was steep and awkward in Jogging shoes, Some climbers would rappel there, but you have to sacrifice expensive icescrews! Fortunately we had Grödel. A distinctive descent without Crampon or without pickle would mean to suffer. After 200 Meter or so, the slope became slowly flatter. We dragged our tired bodies to Passo Fedaia, it became really dark and dipping fog covered the mountain, not even 10 meters visible. Deep in the night, no more cars passed by. What could we do? Suddenly a car popped up in the darkness. And we waved like wounded soldiers! We have had all of our climbing gear like harness, helmet and ropes on ourselves. Our figures were really signalising being in a bad shape. A young lady smiled, as she opened the door of her car. Wow! That's good luck! I think, she occasionally has had situations like this before, finding climbers doubtfully strolling around in the night. She took us to Malga Ciapela camping. We were saved!