Michi, what's the name of the hut we're going to again?
Ranca Hut? Not for the first time, my good but forgetful friend Olav asks me the name of our base for the next four days: the Branca Hut in the southern Ortler Alps.
The lengthy journey reveals why this house is not on everyone's lips in Germany. We laboriously wind our way over Italian passes towards our destination. The starting point, Santa Caterina (2178 m) near Bormio, would be very easy to reach via the Stelvio Pass - but the pass is closed for the winter until late spring. And so the quickest, yet endlessly long route leads through the Livigno tunnel and over the Passo de Eira.
This makes the ascent to the hut all the more pleasant.
After a sporty hour, we reach the hut at an altitude of 2493 metres. This allows us to arrive in the evening, especially as the path is easy to find and presents no technical difficulties. Luggage can also be transported up by skidoo on request.
Arriving at the Riffugio Branca, our stomachs are immediately delighted by the excellent cuisine on offer. The food is served to the tables from large pots in a very informal way. And there is plenty of it. The well-stocked bar with its excellent coffee has already been praised to us in advance?
The next day, the marvellous mountains of the southern Ortler group beckon,
which have illustrious names such as "Palon de la mare" or "Monte Vioz". We tackle the former straight away. At 3704 metres, it is the highest mountain in the Forno basin and probably has one of the most rewarding descents in the area. Climbers are treated to an impressive view of the Ortler Alps, although unfortunately they are denied a view of the king of this area, the Ortler, from this summit. This coveted view is reserved for the "Punta san Matteo", another attractive destination around the Branca hut. Although this is lower than the "Palon de la Mare" at 3684 metres, the ascent almost has a Western Alps flair due to the impressive glacier crevasses and is therefore more attractive than its big brother, but also more challenging.
All in all
the Branca hut is a highly recommended base for remarkable and scenically impressive high-altitude ski tours. The range of tours on offer is so extensive that you can easily fill a whole week and the short ascent to the hut means that you can even carry a heavy backpack without compromising the comfort of the already well-equipped mountain accommodation.
We would love to go south again? to the Branca Hut!
