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The rock massif rises up proudly over Sesto, delights lovers of panoramic views and humbles mountaineers. Many renowned alpinists have set their sights on the towering, fragmented giants since the first ascents in the Sesto Dolomites in the mid-19th century and explored possible routes to the summit – but had to admit defeat. The inconceivable was only achieved for the first time in 1874. Out of a pure love of climbing – and perhaps also a certain pride in their home and Sesto obstinacy – the famous Dolomites king, Michl Innerkofler, and his brother Hans, better known as “Gamsmandl”, hazarded the ascent along the 55 degree steep, rockfall-prone ice channel on the south-west side of the colossus. With success! On the morning of 27 September 1874 the brothers reached their hands out to one another on the summit of the Dodici and together built the obligatory cairn as a symbol of their successful first ascent. The scale of the challenge posed by this adventure is evidenced by the not exactly politically correct comment from Michl Innerkofler, who in comparison described the Punta dei Tre Scarperi – one of the most feared summits in the Sesto Dolomites – as a “woman’s mountain”. And even though later on steps were cut in the ice channel, the spectacular route taken on this first ascent is still not considered to be the normal way to the summit today.
The 150th anniversary of the spectacular first ascent of the Cima Dodici is being celebrated in Sesto with countless events and exciting projects.