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Rocciamelone stands on the left side of the middle Valle di Susa, next to the border with France.
Its profile is easily recognizable from almost the whole Piedmont, and back in the Middle Age this mountain was supposed to be the highest in the Alps, and it was worshipped and feared with devotion.
Bonifacius Rotarius of Asti made the first ascent of Rocciamelone in 1358, to bring a small metal image of the Holy Virgin as a gesture of gratitude for having survived captivity in the Holy Land during the crusades.
The summit of Rocciamelone is the destination of a traditional pilgrimage, held every year on August 5th.
A three metre high statue of the Virgin Mary was erected there in 1899.
Due to the easy access, its history and the sweeping panorama, Rocciamelone is one of the most frequented summits in this range of the Alps.
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Kommentare
Yes, the glacier is melting down at an impressive rate, I took the same picture in 2003, and the comparison is astounding.
You can check it out at
http://pano.ica-net.it/en/Grandi/Rocciamelone.htm
(the english translation is not mine!)
The climb up the north face is not much more difficult, but it usually takes a two days-walking starting from Malciaussia.
Regards
Andrea
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