Forzèla de le Coraie and Forzèla dei Pón from La Muda to Gena Bassa

Premise

This route was traveled on July 24, 2019, and all subsequent observations and considerations fully apply only to that day.

In this detailed report, the term «guide» refers to → "Monti del Sole e Piz de Mezodì", anthology curated by Pietro Sommavilla and Luca Celi.

↓

From La Muda to Forzèla de le Coraie or Forcella delle Coraie

From La Muda, cross the bridge over the Cordevole Stream and follow the dirt road south until crossing the bridge at the entrance of Val Pegolera.

A few meters after the bridge, marked by a cairn, there is the turnoff onto the narrow path climbing the right orographic side of the valley.

The path is not difficult to follow, there are some signs (also of CAI type since we are on number 871) and the grassy sections are short, so one quickly finds the way again.

The only problem noted today in this initial part was to avoid some fallen trees exactly at the hairpin turns of the trail: I think I lost about 10/15 minutes in total.

Thus one arrives on a varied track at the junction, marked by arrows, between Forcella delle Coraie and Forcella Zana.

Now ascend the crest of the Costa dei Faghèr with moderate slope to a wooded plateau where the markers lead right down into the bottom of Val Chegadór or Val del Cargadór: here there is an exposed ledge section with a cable to assist.

From the final cirque at valley bottom, ascend a bit through the middle and then right to enter a bench climbing sharply to the right; then leave the bench for a short ledge section left that leads into a few meters of rocky gully-ditch, and (on the left side of the gully) onto a steep path exiting into a forest on a more than gentle slope.

Cross the entire forest (Al Boscón) almost without traces on the ground, but guided by many CAI markers on tree trunks and some cairns.

At the end of the forest, enter the Busa de le Caze Alte on the bed of a small stream which must be ascended.

******************************

The Busa de le Caze Alte is the exit point of the Banche de le Caze Alte – see itinerary → Banche de le Caze Alte with crossing from Gena Bassa to La Muda.

******************************

After the Busa de le Caze Alte, turn left before the rock band and climb an easy gully which leads, after a saddle, onto a mountain flank covered with dwarf pines: luckily the path continues on good cuts.

Reach the bottom of the Van Grant and ascend it up to where a large white writing on rock "FOR. CORAIE", with red arrow, indicates to enter a ledge to the left.

The ledge leads to a grassy saddle that enters the last van, called Van Pìciol.

Here cross the entire cirque of the van with a slight climb up to the final gully leading to Forzèla de le Coraie or Forcella delle Coraie.

A few meters before the pass there is a key passage: a large wedged boulder.

It is passed on the right with 3/4 moves of grade II: good handholds, but today VERY WET ROCK.

If I had arrived descending, today – with such wet conditions – I would have tried to secure from above.

I passed around 11 a.m.; the gully is fully north-facing, and I do not think different times would provide very different conditions.

(For some other photos of the Forzèla de le Coraie area with the start of the route to Forzèla dei Pón, see itinerary → Forzèla de le Coraie via Viàz Eleonora and Valón de le Coraie).

↓

Crossing from Forzèla de le Coraie or Forcella delle Coraie to Forzela dei Pón or Forcella dei Pom

From Forcella delle Coraie, today’s reference guide indicates two possibilities: if descending, there is a double rope rappel of about 20 meters from a cord on a rock spur (I'd say quite constant grade II); if ascending you can follow a viàz northwest with passages of grade II and above (here from the pass the maximum difficulties didn’t seem continuous from the turning point where the viàz climbs sharply: but this is a distant assessment).

In the end, I climbed straight because the rock seemed clean, surely well sunlit and dry, and holds could be seen.

After a few meters, I found a hanging rope piece: I followed the rope line without hanging on and reached the rappel spur for those descending.

Beyond the spur (also marked here) continue a few more meters on grade I and finally it becomes "just very steep".

From this point aim for the obvious pass on the left which bypasses the edge at the base of this east face of Cima Est del Ferùch.

I saw another marker, but then climbed freely because the sun was right in my eyes in that direction, and the slope can be interpreted.

I reached the bypass point on the edge just above a large CAI marker, and the change in scenery was spectacular with the view of Cima del Bus del Diàol.

Now a long traverse southwest all on a varied and very exposed ledge, with a short section of narrow slab on very compact rock (I saw an old piton just before).

Immediately after there is a small cave (well marked in all guides) useful as an emergency shelter, and after a few more meters you arrive under the south edge of Cima Est del Ferùch where a large 871 of the CAI numbering is painted.

From here shortly descend to Forzèla dei Pón with the last few meters of very narrow walking (but there is always room for feet and to support with hands for balance).

↓

Descent from Forzèla dei Pón or Forcella dei Pom to Gena Bassa

I have already written "my ascent view" of this entire section in the hike Bivacco Valdo – Forzèla dei Pón – Forcella Zana.

I do not think it is advisable to face this descent on the section to Bivacco Valdo without someone in the group who has already done it ascending.

Compared to the ascent, note that in this descent red or white-blue markers are a bit less noticeable: always enough to not get lost, but more attention is needed, and as always look ahead and recheck with glances behind.

The general sense of the path is very simple: you stay on the "large elevated bench" on the right orographic side above Val Feruch.

In particular, the good track is quite winding in various sections, and since it runs close to very steep slopes, concentration is necessary.

The descent from Forzèla dei Pón begins with a steep section among rocks and grassy slabs until exiting the upper narrow section of Val Feruch.

Then turn right and with a long diagonal close to a rock band descend above the head of a wide, long, and steep slab.

Down the slab with some final steps where hands are helpful: a technical passage can be avoided by rappelling through a characteristic hole in the rock.

From here it is a series of more or less steep diagonals with more or less small jumps: evident to all will be a steep and wide cut among dwarf pines on a rocky base and another gully always on a rocky bottom (initially on stones and then compact).

With another diagonal, reach a descending group of compact rocks where a very short but very exposed passage must be climbed: going down it passes well while ascending it would be more difficult to interpret for those who don't know it.

From here continue until entering a small wood and exit on the other side with a comfortable little climb that leads to the ledge section connecting to Circo della Borala and then to Bivacco Valdo.

The ledge is certainly exposed but not worrying except a short unstable passage at the site of a minor landslide.

From Bivacco Valdo follow tracks and markers (a not very clear stretch and with a variant shortly after the start) on a path also exposed until joining the path descending from Forcella Zana – where paint markers are missing, orientation is via cut branches.

Soon after cross the bottom of Val Soffia passing from left to right orographic side, and by progressively easier traces return to Gena Alta at the junction at the end of the outbound road asphalt.

Among the progressively easier traces there are still some exposed steps, a couple of safety "handrail cables", and a real small rocky jump equipped with a ladder and cable.