Climbing club, ‘Club Arrampicata Napoli’
Visits Gran Sasso National Park
(... cont. from the 14.01.07 entry ...)
With an extensive gear list that included a balaclava, a pair of gaiters, some polypropylene, crampons and an ice axe, there was only one thing members of Club Arrampicata Napoli (CAN) could have been preparing for: snow survival.
Over the holiday weekend of January 13-14, CAN members ventured 4 hours north to the Gran Sasso National Park to brave the cold realities of winter mountain survival and see the views from atop of Gran Sasso. The mini-expedition consisted of overnight bivy and two days of extensive hikes up to an altitude of around 7k feet with some technical Grade 4 sections (a rating based on difficulty, 5 being the most difficult).
The group expected deep snow covered trails thick enough to practice building snow shelters but were surprised to find icy paths and melting patches of snow. Although the snow was minimal, the weather was certainly cold with temperatures dipping below freezing. They improvised the trip, practicing crampon snow travel techniques, ice axe self saving procedures and, above all, alpinist tricks-of-the-trade to stay warm.
“The best part of the trip,” reflected Dustin Burton, “was learning safety techniques that has given me the confidence to save myself and my family if we were ever stuck in a winter storm. Especially, since the rash of winter disasters that have hit many American’s this season, be it family caught in the cars in snow storms or mountaineers caught during an expedition. Now I know what to do to survive.”
The diverse group of CAN members making this trek included Marine Gunnery Sargeant John Woodward, Navy Lieutenant Dustin Burton, Dawn Baker a contract employee with Commander Navy Region Europe, Michael Dong and Matthew Musser, both civilian family members. As with this trip, CAN membership and event participation demographics span all age groups, touch every skill level but maintain one constant thread: people who have a passion for the outdoors.
Though Club Arrampicata Napoli centers around rock climbing, it goes beyond that sport. At the crux, it is about exploring the beauty in nature around Naples, Italy, and Europe.
Club meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at the support site gym at 6:30pm. The club rock climbs as a group on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.
From left to right: Dustin Burton, Michael Dong, Matt Musser and John Woodward begin their ascent up Gran Sasso. (Photo by Dawn Baker)
(From left to right) Michael Dong, Dustin Burton, Matt Musser and John Woodward traverse a steep grade as they continue their ascent up Gran Sasso. (Photo taken by Dawn Baker)
(From left to right) Michael Dong, Dustin Burton, Matt Musser and John Woodward traverse a steep grade with crampons. (Photo taken by Dawn Baker)
(From left to right) John Woodward, Michael Dong, Dustin Burton and Matt Musser celebrate a successful ascent. (Photo taken by Dawn Baker)
