Pizzo Cassinello

Information

Date:	13 September 2021
Maximum height:	3103 m
Difference in height:	1500 m
Length:	12 km
Kilometers effort:	32 kmef
Duration:	8 hours and 30 minutes

Huts reached:

Capanna Scaradra

Difficulties (Automatic translation in english)

	From Larecc to the altitude of about 2080 metres.
	From the altitude of 2080 metres up to about 2600 metres.
	From the altitude of 2600 metres to the Soreda Pass.
	From Passo Soreda up to Pizzo Cassinello (with T4 passages).

Comment (Automatic translation in english)

Today's ascent of Pizzo Cassinello, a mountain located on the ridge separating Canton Ticino from Canton Grisons. This peak, famous for its rocky slabs, was once called Plattenberg. However, due to a cartographic error, the name was given to a mountain a little further north (now renamed Blattaberg).
The excursion begins in the Larecc area, on the shores of Lake Luzzone in the Blenio Valley, from where I start to climb following the path that enters Val Scaradra. At the crossroads of Alpe Scaradra di Sopra, I continue towards Passo Soreda without any particular difficulty up to an altitude of 2600 metres. At that point, I enter the gully, full of rocky debris, that leads to the pass. This section of the trail was repaired a few years ago by laying several chains and many wooden steps.
On reaching the pass, the path turns right and becomes blue-white. The first 50 metres are actually a little more challenging. But then you come across the famous slabs, which make the ascent much easier. Only occasionally, when you have to pass from one of them to the upper one, can the ascent be a little more complicated. In general, however, the difficulty is never excessive.
The route then continues towards the north-eastern ridge of the summit and, once reached, goes up it to the top of Pizzo Cassinello.
On the summit, as well as several cairns, there is also a plaque with the name and altitude of the place. The panorama is splendid, ranging from the Adula massif to the 3000-metre peaks of Greina and finally to the Vals valley. It should be noted that on the national map, the summit of Pizzo Cassinello has been marked about fifty metres further north than the actual point.
The return journey follows the same route as the outward journey. When I arrived at the crossroads at an altitude of 2181 metres, I decided to make a little diversions to visit the Scaradra Refuge, which I reached the last time in 2010. I take the opportunity to refuel with water and then I go back down to Larecc.
In addition to the fountain at Rifugio Scaradra, there is another one at Alpe Scaradra di Sotto. Alternatively, there are several streams between an altitude of about 1800 and 2200 meters.