La Cialma

Introduction

The Cialma is a classic ski mountaineering trip, very popular especially with the people of Eporeda, who sometimes climb it more than once for training purposes. There used to be ski lifts on this route several years ago, but they are no longer in use; at present, the high lifts have been dismantled, while the first section was put back into operation this year. The fact that the ascent takes place partially on the side of the slope is not a problem, because the route is on wide terrain. The Cialma peak is very scenic and offers an unusual view of the Gran Paradiso group, Tresenta, Ciarforon, Monciair, Denti del Broglio.

Description

Leave the car in the car park or along the road, drive up the initial steep slope to the right of the ski lift; if the snow is icy, I recommend putting the knives on from the start, as this avoids unnecessary energy expenditure. The slope is steep until the arrival of the ski lift, then it becomes gentler. Cross over to the right until you reach a small cairn. To the right and left are the ruins of old alpine pastures. From the cairn, the peak can be seen, and the sometimes steeper path now runs all along the ridge. The panorama opens out onto the south coast of Gran Paradiso to the right, some peaks separating the Ceresole valley from the Lanzo valleys to the left, and to the south as far as the plain. The slopes are open, easy, the route is so beaten that it is often turned into a track. Be careful on the summit if the ground is frozen: it is not very wide and is overhanging on three sides...