Monte Cevedale (3769 m) from Sulden

Technical difficulty: 5/10
Fitness: 8/10
Objective danger: 7/10 (mostly from moving over a glacier)
Landscape: 10/10
Busy: 5/10

High alpine skitour from Sulden over the Suldenspitze (3376m) and to the summit of Monte Cevedale.

Starting point: Sulden
Ending point: Sulden
Ascend: 2200vm / 7h
Exposition: North

Monte Cevedale is arguably the most sought-after ski touring destination in the Ortler Alps. While this particular approach may not offer the most rewarding descents, it is the shortest route to the summit. Scenically, however, it’s a wonderful tour full of beautiful impressions — with especially stunning views of the elegant Königsspitze across the valley, as well as many other ski touring peaks in the southern Ortler Alps.

Route:
From the parking lot, follow the slopes southwards towards the Schaubachhütte. After passing the hut, follow the ski slope briefly south across flat terrain, passing an avalanche transceiver checkpoint, into the wide valley basin. Continue in the same direction, gently ascending to the start of the Suldenferner glacier. From there, make a wide right-hand arc toward the first steep section, which leads into the flatter, crevasse-riddled glacier basin north below the broad summit ridge of the Suldenspitze (to the left is a notch marked with poles, which leads to the Casati Hut).

Keeping to the right, ascend westward through a wide basin into the Janinger Scharte (3,323 m). From the notch, turn left and follow a narrow ridge eastward to the broad summit structure, and then easily continue to the highest point, marked by a small and beautiful summit cross (3,376 m).

To Monte Cevedale

Continue in the same direction, after a short descent from the summit passing east beneath the Casati Hut, and toward the broad ridge connecting Zufallspitze (on the left) and Monte Cevedale (on the right). Finally, climb diagonally and steeply up to the saddle northeast of Monte Cevedale (beware of the crevasse!), then follow the northeast ridge, which becomes nearly flat and easy toward the summit cross at 3,769 m.

Descent:

Same as ascent.

Photos by @the.running.nomad, @bennibru and @innsbruckalps