Alfredo Corti bivouac
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Access
The bivouac can be reached via the following access routes:
- from the Armisa power station on paths and (T3,1450mD+,5h00')
Introduction
The Alfredo Corti bivouac, located in Val d'Arigna at an altitude of 2499 metres, is a destination for experienced hikers wishing to explore one of the wildest corners of the Orobian Alps. The ascent, which starts from the locality Centrale Armisa (m 1035), has a difference in height of about 1450 metres and requires considerable physical effort and good orientation skills, especially for the sections of the path that are not very visible, where it is necessary to carefully follow the yellow-red markings.
Description
The bivouac, managed by the Valtellina section of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club), is located at the foot of the Vedretta del Lupo, on the northern slope of Pizzo Coca. Always open and accessible, it offers a basic shelter with a fireplace, table, bench, a few chairs, firewood and an emergency water supply. Outside, a table with benches and a crucifix, overlooking a meadow surrounded by birch, beech and chestnut trees, contribute to an atmosphere of peace and isolation.
The bivouac is named after Alfredo Corti, a famous mountaineer and scholar of the Valtellina mountains, and was inaugurated in 1930. The ceremony was attended by numerous mountaineers and the mass was officiated by Don Emilio Chesani. On that occasion, Corti recounted how his passion for the Orobie was born while observing the peaks from his native Tresivio as a young man.
In addition to its importance as a reference point for mountaineers, the bivouac is immersed in a highly evocative natural setting, surrounded by glaciers such as the Ghiacciaio del Lupo, one of the largest in the Orobie. The Val d'Arigna is, in fact, characterised by a unique glacial environment, with glaciers that descend to relatively low altitudes, such as the Ghiacciaio dei Marovin, also known as the 'rhododendron glacier'. This makes the Corti bivouac an ideal destination not only for those who seek the physical challenge of the hike, but also for those who want to immerse themselves in unspoilt nature.Access to the bivouac requires careful planning, especially due to the difficulty of the route and the lack of adequate signposting. However, for mountain enthusiasts, the Corti bivouac represents an unmissable opportunity to enjoy an authentic mountaineering experience in an unspoilt environment.
Alfredo Corti
Alfredo Corti was a scientist and mountaineer from Valtellina, known for his explorations of the Orobie Alps and Val Grosina. Corti, a great explorer and academic, left an important legacy in the description and appreciation of the mountains of Valtellina. During one of his climbs, he discovered a species of wingless fly, which was later dedicated to him, the Alfredia acrobata.
Information
Location: Vedretta di Scerscen upper
Height: 2,499m
Place-beds: 6
Property: CC
Lighting:candle
Gas cooker: not present
Water: creek near the bivouac
Rechargeable devices:not available
Bivouac book:not detected
Itineraries from the bivouac
- Coca Pass