New Dolomites steep skiing lines by Francesco Vascellari & Co

The 2021 ski season in the Dolomites was long and provided enough snow for BVullon-based mountaineer Francesco Vascellar to complete a series of new ski descents, either on his own or with his friends. Based on careful research and all the latest information available, the descents listed here can be considered new lines, in all likelihood skied for the first time.

1. Punta Michele 2452m, South Face, Cristallo-Popena group. Probable first ski descent. Circa 55°, 15m handrail used. Francesco Vascellari, Loris de Barba and Davide D'Alpaos (27/02/2021).

2. Croda dei Piani 2602m, North Face, in the Sesto Dolomites group. Probable first descent. Sector 60° approximately. Francesco Vascellari, accompanied uphill by Mirko Forti, solo descent (04/03/2021).

3. Monte Schiara 2565m, North Face, in the Belluno Dolomites group. Probable first direct descent (to complete the descent from the Northwest Spallone opened by Gianpaolo Sani in 2002). About 55°, sector 60°. Used a 25m abseil on the icefall. Francesco Vascellari, accompanied uphill by Matteo Bortot and Roberto Sartor, solo descent (08/03/2021).

4. Cima del Mugo 2417m, Canale Sud, in the Cadini di Misurina group. Probable first descent. About 50°. Francesco Vascellari, Davide D'Alpaos, Mattia Ferraro and Mirko Forti (31/03/2021).

5. Cima Laste 2555m, North Face, in the Oltre Piave Dolomites group. Probable first descent. About 45°. Francesco Vascellari, Loris De Barba, Tiziano Canal, Davide D'Alpaos (08/04/2021).

6. Cima Ovest del Cridola 2561m, in the Spalti di Toro-Monfalconi group. Probable first absolute ski descent. Approximately 50°, sector 55°, built from 40m below the summit (rocky mountaineering summit). Loris De Barba, Francesco Vascellari, Tiziano Canal, Davide D'Alpaos. Accompanied by Mattia Ferraro and Mirko Forti (18/04/2021).

7. Cima Petoz 2827m at Cimon del Froppa, North slide, in the Marmarole group. Probable first absolute ski descent. About 45° -50°, a 30m abseil was used on the jump of rocks above the glacier. Francesco Vascellari, Loris De Barba, Tiziano Canal, Davide D'Alpaos (25/04/2021).

8. Cresta Zsigmondy 2998m, Canalino Nord, in the Sesto Dolomites group. Probable first descent. About 45° -50°, used double of 10m on the basal jump. Francesco Vascellari, Loris De Barba (08/05/2021).

9. Punta Campestrin Nord 2834m, North Face, Ampezzo Dolomites group. Probable first descent. Sector 50° -55° approximately. Francesco Vascellari, solo (10/05/2021).

10. Cristallino di Misurina 2786m, North Face, in the Cristallo-Popena group. Probable first descent. Circa 50° -55°. Francesco Vascellari, Tiziano Canal and Loris De Barba (21/05/2021).

11. Avantorre Campestrin 2210m, South Face, in the Sfornioi group. Probable first absolute ski descent. About 50°. Francesco Vascellari, Davide D'Alpaos (22/12/2021).

In addition to these ten descents, further descents were carried out such as the direct South Face of Monte Vallon Bianco (Dolomiti d'Ampezzo), the East Face of the Col di Vezza (Cadini), Cima Bianca Canale Nord (Monfalconi) and various others. The latter lines are less technical, probably new, but not listed as further details are still lacking.

Vascellari thanks: La Sportiva Apparel, K2 Skis