© Hans Braxmeier - Pixabay
The Sottotenente Mario Fusetti Via Ferrata is located on Sass de Stria and is dedicated to Second Lieutenant Mario Fusetti, recipient of the Gold Medal for Military Valour. Built in the summer of 2018 by two teams of Italian Alpine Troops near Falzarego Pass, above Cortina, the via ferrata is a new equipped route on the Sass de Stria rock face. It is of great scenic and sporting interest, but above all historical importance, as it follows in the footsteps of this great hero of the First World War.
Sass de Stria is a 2,477-metre-high Alpine mountain located in the Dolomites, in the province of Belluno. It rises above Falzarego Pass, opposite Tofana di Rozes and Lagazuoi. The mountain was the scene of fierce fighting during the First World War. It only became a popular tourist destination in the second half of the 20th century, following the restoration of its trails.
The via ferrata follows the route taken by the platoon led by Second Lieutenant Fusetti, who climbed Sass de Stria in October 1915 in an attempt to occupy its summit. The platoon was spotted and surrounded and, after several hours of intense fighting, was wiped out. Many soldiers lost their lives in the terrible clash, including Second Lieutenant Fusetti.
In the centenary year of the First World War, to commemorate the sacrifices of the soldiers, the Italian Army Alpine Troops deployed two teams of military mountaineering instructors during the summer, who were engaged in searching for the remains of Second Lieutenant Mario Fusetti. It was during these activities that they decided to create a new route: the via ferrata.
To reach the starting point of the via ferrata, the route passes through the Goiginger Tunnel, where artillery positions aimed towards the Martini Ledge were located. It then crosses the Austro-Hungarian Goiginger position on the saddle and follows a section of trail towards the Edelweiss position, reaching the start of the new via ferrata after approximately 800 metres. From the end of the via ferrata, you can continue along the Austro-Hungarian positions, restored in recent years by the Treviso section of the Italian Alpine Association (A.N.A.), and reach the summit of Sass de Stria or descend to Forte Tre Sassi.
The route in detail
1st section: diagonal traverse towards the left, length: 10.35 m – number of bolts: 8
2nd section: vertical ascent, ending on a scree ledge, length: 43.5 m – number of bolts: 22 – no. of KASC: 8
3rd section: vertical/slab climbing, length: 25.2 m – number of bolts: 16
4th section: traverse along an exposed trail towards the right, length: 46.1 m – number of bolts: 30
5th section: vertical/slab climbing, length: 41 m – number of bolts: 27
6th section: traverse towards the left followed by a final vertical section, length: 37.8 m – bolts: 22 – KASC: 2
7th section: vertical ascent, length: 35.7 m – number of bolts: 23 – no. of KASC: 10
Technical data
Starting point: Forte Tre Sassi, 2,168 m
End point: Forte Tre Sassi, 2,168 m
Duration: 1 h 50 min
Total elevation gain: 204 m
Minimum altitude: 2,168 m
Maximum altitude: 2,319 m
Access: Falzarego Pass
Ascent: easy and very well equipped, approximately 45 minutes
Summit: Sass de Stria, 2,477 m
Aspect: South-West
Equipment: via ferrata set, helmet and headlamp for the tunnel
