Cold temperatures cause waterfalls to freeze

Serrai di Sottoguda, Sottoguda (BL) Dolomites

Temperatures have dropped all across Europe and the intense cold has resulted in many waterfalls finally freezing over. The images below were taken yesterday at Sottoguda in the Dolomites and clearly show the state of some of the icefalls in one of Italy's premier winter 'sports climbing' venue.

Almost all the icefalls have formed, even if as yet there is little ice compared to previous winters. The temperature in the gorge was about 0° C and some of the ice was dripping. Famous routes such as 'Spada nella roccia', 'Excalibur' and those in the 'Cattedrale' sector are not completely formed and the start to these is consequently slightly more difficult.

The cold temperatures are a blessing for the organisers of the IWC, who had been forced to postpone the opening competition in Pitztal due to unusually warm conditions.

photo: top left 'La cattedrale'; bottom: two climbers in action
top right: 'Excalibur' first pitch, middle: 'Excalibur' bottom: 'La spada nella roccia'.


> Ice climbing at Sottoguda, Dolomites