Description

Vena Sant’Angelo, better known as San Vito, was climbed for the first time in 1929 by Gino Olivieri. However the real mountaineering activities start in 1974, with the first multipitches routes established by Federico Pagnini.

Then, during the 1980s and the 1990s Tonino Mari, Dario Cannella and other mountaineering from the near city of Ascoli, in Marche, had continued.

Even if Vena Sant'Angelo is geographically located in Abruzzo, it's very close to the city of Ascoli, in Marche. Thus it is traditionally popular among the mountaineers of that city.

In recent years the Mountaineering and Free Climbing School of the Italian Alpin Club (C.A.I.) of Ascoli has revamped some old pitches and established some new ones.

Still more recently Maurizio Tufoni established other new, demanding routes, that make San Vito a suitable climbing spot not only for those seeking nice routes in the charming environment of the Monti Gemelli (=Twin Peaks), but also for who can't enjoy climbing without difficulties.

The climbing spot of San Vito cannot be considered as an sport climbing oriented crag with "plaisir" multipitches. It's rathar an adventure playgrounds.

In fact, some of the multipitches routes have spaced anchors, and go across a varied limestone wall, with some stretches of chossy rock. Thus wearing the helmet is a real must. Then you need also two half ropes at least 50 meters long.

Anyway, the limestone is almost always of excellent quality, so this place is good for those who want start to practice the mountaineering discipline.

Approach

FROM MARCHE

Exit from the motorway junction of Ascoli mare (=Ascoli sea) following the sign to Ascoli centro (Porta Cartara) and, one at the roundabout go to the left.

Then, once at the second roundabout, turn still left toward Castel Trosino-Valle Castellana.

Pass the small town of Castel Trosino, continue for almost 3 km, then turn right following the signs to San Vito.

Pass the town of San Vito and continue straight until the road gets dirty. Continue on the dirty road, pass some steep hairpin bends and, before the road crosses the ridge, park your car in a widening on the right.

FROM ABRUZZO

Coming from Abruzzo, get to the small town of Macchia Da Sole, then follow the signs to Ascoli - San Vito.

Go along the dirty road for about 3 km. Ignore the first junction and take the second one, turning left.

Continue straight and after about 500 mt turn right. Once at a widening, park your vehicle.