Difference in altitude: 1,300 m
Ascent/descent time: 10-12 hours
In the morning, we set off after breakfast. From the Colle di Viso, we will go along the debris moraine before climbing the second fan below Punta Sella. At 2,750 m we may have to pass a small snowfield, before starting the east ridge at a small spur, picking out a route to the base of the Saint Robert Crag, that we will climb on the left side (grade IV, bolted). Then, we will cross the small gully that separates it from a smaller crag and continue by climbing a small couloir that leads to the ridge. Going forward, we will reach the base of another crag, sporting a yellow writing: “Via della lepre, verso la normale” (Route of the Hare, to the normal route). Beyond this point, the trail joins the normal route for the last few metres of ascent. After the classic peak photo, we will take the long normal route to go down.
The descent requires as much effort and concentration as the ascent. It is long, with several stretches where to pay great attention.