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Highlab Quintino Sella, test your tent to the basecamp (altitude 3585 m)
(04.07.2011)
Excursion to the Ferrino High Lab at the Quintino Sella Refuge (3585m).
The Ferrino High LAB (HL) project was begun 17 years ago on Monte Rosa, at the Quintino Sella Refuge: a permanent laboratory at which to test new materials, new products, and prototype backpacks, tents and sleeping bags.
Added to this is the fact that these new products are made available for normal users to test in order to collect data and feedback in different weather conditions, from people of both sexes and of as many different builds and levels of physical preparation as possible.
In these 17 years, more than 3,000 people have stayed overnight in the tents at the High Lab Camp on Monte Rosa — in the Aosta Valley, at the Quintino Sella Refuge on the watershed between the valleys of Ayas and Gressoney (altitude 3585 metres).
The base camp, located on the edge of the Felik glacier, offers a spectacular panorama thanks to its particular position overlooking the heads of the two valleys, framed by the surrounding mountains, which are all above 4000 metres. The camp is visited by many people, both as a destination for excursions and as a base for climbs up to the summits of Castore (4221 m) and Liskamm (4481 m) and for the traverse at the Margherita hut (4554 m) across the Liskamm ridge. The climb up to the refuge is an extraordinary experience in itself for those who have not had many opportunities to come into close contact with high mountain and glacier environments.
The Laboratory operates from in July until mid–August and it can be reached from Colle Bettaforca (2672 m), using a panoramic route that is marked in a few sections, with some parts over snow and aerial passages on in–situ pegs in the final section.
The Quintino Sella Refuge is located at a high altitude and therefore, before attempting an excursion, you should be suitably prepared in terms of physical fitness as well as ensuring sufficient fluid intake and if necessary, a suitable dose of the good–old multipurpose aspirin as soon as the first symptoms of mountain sickness set in.
General Programme
Day 1: arrival at Gressoney (AO)/Champoluc (AO) in the evening, overnight stay in hotel.
Day 2: accompanied by Alpine and/or Mountain Guides, departure for Colle Betteforca at 9.30/10.00 a.m. via the lifts at Gressoney or using the Champoluc off-road taxi service.
Ascent to the refuge and picnic lunch. Accommodation in the refuge or, for those wishing to do so, it is possible to sleep in sleeping bags and tents from the High Lab camp. Presentation of material and activities regarding the laboratory and illustration of the area’s topography.
Day 3: making an early start, the more physically prepared can participate in an organised excursion to the summit of Castore (4221 m) with 4-5 hours' walk on the glacier. Alternatively, it is possible to choose one of the numerous shorter excursions in the area around the refuge. Descent around midday or early afternoon and return to Gressoney/Champoluc.
Difference in altitude: 850 m
Time: 3 ½ — 4 hours for the ascent to the refuge
Difficulty: E/EE E = excursionists, EE = expert excursionists
Equipment required:
For the ascent to the Refuge only: trekking shoes, wind stopper, backpack, clothing for excursions (cotton or Schoeller trousers, T–shirt, shirt and/or sweatshirt, fleece), minimal change of clothing (T–shirt, lightweight sweatshirt), gloves, fleece hat, cotton hat, sunglasses, protective sun cream, flask and picnic lunch.
For the Excursions on the Glacier, clothing will be specified according to the agreed destination.
Useful equipment:
Trekking sticks, waterproof overtrousers.
HIGH LAB CAMP WILL BE OPEN FROM 15 JULY TO 20 AUGUST
For more information: Tel. ++39 0125 366113 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0125 366113 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0125 366113 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0125 366113 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting
http://www.rifugioquintinosella.com/
