Mount Valegino

Introduction

One of the many beautiful hikes possible from Tartano, and probably one of the least frequented. The arrival at the summit is always avoided because of the characteristics of the last section: rocky or with generous cornices. Generally one stops at the pass to the west of the summit (neither listed nor mentioned in the cartography) or, with good conditions, one can reach the snowy shoulder about halfway up the ridge between the pass and the summit. From the Porcile Lakes onwards, the long ascending midslopes - to be traversed or ascended in narrow bends - are almost always of icy crust.

Description

From the 1300 m parking area, continue along the snow-covered valley floor track to the bridge near a group of huts with a chapel; avoid crossing the stream (return route) and, at a spring, take a path through the fir trees on the left side of the valley. The track climbs up some steep clearings with a few huts until it comes close to the stream and crosses it in a somewhat steep section. A series of well-traced hairpin bends in the wood leads to the plateau of the Casera Porcile 1803 m; continue on the slope behind the three huts, following the best route between humps and small valleys. At Baita Lares 1900 m, abandon the marked tracks for the busy Tartano Pass and begin a long shift to the left in the direction of Baita Q 2005 m, located near the first Porcile Lake (invisible under the snow, and already very muddy in summer conditions). Climbing up on the edge of a series of shelves - interspersed with steep drops - you reach the base of the ridge coming from Passo Tartano and follow it to the left (icy traverse threatened by cornices), until you are below the vertical of the visible pass to the west of Monte Valegino. One ascends the steep slope with narrow zigzags to the unlisted pass (approx. 2200 m). If you are able to continue, go up the north-west slope of Monte Valegino, climbing the face with narrow, very exposed traverses to the base of the terminal rocks of the west ridge. Reaching the 2415 m summit is mountaineering in character. Descend along the outward route to the Casera Porcile; from here, keep to the left side of the small valley to access the plateau, descending a steep and icy wood (very tracked), until near the stream at the bottom of the valley. Passing the two typical huts at Q 1550 m, you reach the bridge signposted on the way up, and then along the snow-covered road to the parking area.