Introduction: A genuine mountaineering climb with a steady and very demanding gradient. To be done in winter with crampons and ice axe, in summer with lots, lots and lots of water.
Route characteristics: Technically not a very demanding route, even graded F+ by some (F = Facile, easy; the "+" marks the upper end of the grade). Some difficulty finding your way on the return to pick up the path again if the ground is under snow.
On the summit stands the dome of the Bivacco Pelino.
The story of this climb is in the trip report Monte Amaro by the Rava della Giumenta Bianca.
Route description
From the road you climb onto the promontory until you spot the nearby Fonte Fredda, just 40 metres from the road. From the spring we walk north until we climb the hill, bearing slightly east so as to keep to the edge of the little wood. We climb to about 1450 m, picking out if possible (snow permitting) the waymarks on the rocks and the traces of path. From the Colle della Croce we get a better view of the Rava della Giumenta Bianca. We walk north-east until we find the waymarking that leads into the wood. Yellow-and-red marks on the trees. At about 1800 m you come out near a clearing. The foot of the Rava della Giumenta Bianca is getting closer and closer. From the clearing the path bears north again until it comes out among low shrubs right at the very pale foot of the Rava. Here the route is obvious. You follow the monotonous, relentless rava up to 2400 metres, then bear right, heading east. The buttress below the summit is a panoramic balcony over the whole valley below. Spectacular. The summit is close; with one last effort you carry on across the slope to the top, which is very clearly visible from the balcony at 2600 m. On the summit, a cross and the well-known dome of the Bivacco Pelino. The return is by the same route. Once out of the Rava, take care to find the clearing again and then the path that leads to Fonte Fredda. You risk making the route a great deal longer.
Variants and alternatives
No alternatives.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the climb to Monte Amaro by the Rava della Giumenta Bianca?
It is graded EEA+ (Escursionisti Esperti con Attrezzatura: for experienced hikers with equipment, upper end of the grade) and F+ by some: technically not very demanding, but physically very tough, with about 1500 metres of ascent and the rava reaching 40 degrees. In winter you need crampons and an ice axe.
How long does the climb to Monte Amaro from Fonte Fredda take?
The fact sheet gives 8 hours 30 minutes for 9 km, out and back. On the way down, with snow, you have to find the clearing and the path to Fonte Fredda again: getting it wrong can make the route a great deal longer.
