Fort Peak (3,385 m)
Challenging crossing along the border ridge up to the Selle du Ribon and Passo Castagneri.From Rifugio Tazzetti you climb to Colle della Resta and follow the Italian-French border ridge to Selle du Ribon and then to Passo Castagneri. The final section features unstable rock: it is recommended to follow the Italian side. Destination reserved for hikers with alpine experience.
Difficulty: EE — Elevation gain: approximately 750 m — Time: approximately 3h30.
Description
From Malciaussia 1805 m, take trail 111 to Rifugio Tazzetti. At a fork descend on a good path to the edges of the stream flowing from the lake and follow it for a good stretch on its left bank.
The path sometimes disappears but then reappears. Continue with various ups and downs crossing pastoral clearings. Two fords follow (not easy at the beginning of the season when their flow is maximum). Always proceed in a west-northwest direction until you reach the beginning of the wide gorge of Rio Cavalla Bianca.
Climb it to the base of the south wall and continue briefly along a kind of ascending channel from left to right that cuts across the entire wall. After a short stretch abandon it and reach the southeast ridge on the right which you follow until near the summit, where the rock changes structure taking on a reddish color.
Cross to the left on the south wall a series of short but steep channels of unstable rock. Then continue towards the border ridge to the left of a crevasse (2-2.30 hours from the base depending on conditions, 4-4.30 from Malciaussia).
Descent: In a loop via the easy west ridge, Passo Castagneri, Sella du Ribon, Punta delle Cavalle, Col della Resta. To reconnect with the normal route to Rocciamelone from Val di Viu' on a good path down to Tazzetti and on an excellent trail to close the loop at the starting point (2.30-3 hours. Total 7.30-8 hours for the complete loop always including stops).
For more info: https://www.gulliver.it/itinerari/fort-punta-del-per-la-cresta-se-e-la-parete-s