PAUL PREUSS

Description

As you come up from Gardeccia, the Rifugio Paul Preuss stands out on a rocky spur like a reference mark signalling the distance yet to go to reach the upper Valle del Vajolet. Then when you get there, the inevitable question arises: what is a little refuge doing there a few dozen metres from a larger refuge? It was legendary mountaineer Tita Piaz who built it in 1913, when he gave up running the nearby Rifugio Vaiolet (for political reasons). And it was Piaz, too, who later dedicated his refuge to the Austrian mountaineer Paul Preuss, his friend and rival. The refuge, still run by the Piaz family, is in a scenic position overlooking Gardeccia, at the foot of the rocks on which the Devil of the Dolomites (as Tita Piaz was known) carried out his pioneering ascents. Open: From mid-June to mid-October Before leaving for your hike, always contact the manager to verify the actual opening of the mountain hut. Walks Located in the same valley basin as the Rifugio Vaiolet, you can get to Rifugio Roda di Vael from Rifugio Preuss (via the Cigolade pass) in 3 hours (difficulty E). Going by way of Passo Principe and Passo Antermoia instead, you can get to Rifugio Antermoia (2 ½ hours, difficulty E). Crossing Passo Principe and then Passo Molignon you can get to Rifugio Alpe di Tires in 3 ½ hours (difficulty E). The refuge, in a strategic position in the Vajolet basin, can also serve as a base for the via ferratas and numerous climbing routes on Catinaccio.

CIN: IT022250B85CQPD3TM