DirectorySOSAT
One of the great features of the Via Ferrata in the Brenta is that where one ends another begins making this mountain range the perfect location for multi day adventures. Better still, you'll find conveniently positioned refuges, one of which is the Refugio Tuckett at the start of the SOSAT. The SOSAT is the perfect day two after a day one spent on the Benini - it's slightly more technical and exposed and you get to try out one of the longer of the famed Brenta ladders in preparation for the mega runged versions found on the Alte. From the Tuckett follow the path 303m back up towards the Bocca del Tuckett until you reach a sign making the SOSAT on the right. Within a few minutes you'll be at the start of the cable. This first section up the Punta Massari is easy enough, nothing more than you'll have come across on the Benini. At the top of the ascent the trail passes through a boulder field with short unprotected down climb and then, if you're new to via ferrata this is the point at which you find out what makes these routes special. The cable leads down through a hole in the rock into a deep gully and the ferrata takes on a whole new level of seriousness. In reality it's an easy enough down climb aided by a series of ladders and pegs though for anyone new to the ferrata game this is definitely a place were you'll find out it you're a candidate for vertigo. As you work your way down and look out across the gully you'll be able to pick out what lies ahead - a 20m high ladder bolted onto the vertical face opposite. The ladder is reached by crossing a huge chock stone wedged in the gully, and whilst this is by no means the longest set of rungs in the Brenta, it's long enough (51 rungs) to work up a sweat. From the top of the ladder the cables follow a ledge cut into the cliff face with great views down into the valley below where you can pick out the Refuge Brenti. After a few more short down climbs the route comes to an end and you're faced with a decision to turn right down to the Refuge Brenti or left towards the Refuge Alimonta. NB. The SOSAT is a short route and the fit and experienced could knock it off in a couple of hours and take on a second route in the afternoon. What I've always done is pop in the Alimonta for a coffee and then on to climb the magnificent Bocchette Centrali in the afternoon. Don't leave the refuge too late though, this region is notorious for late afternoon thunder storms and clipped on to a via ferrata is not the place to be in a lightening storm. I've been there and done it once and I'm not going to do it again. Reviews (1)
The Refuge Tuckett gets very busy with walkers and climbers and is often chocka in the busy summer months. Book a bed in advance when you arrive in Madonna di Campiglio - you can do this in the Tourist Office or direct. The local telephone number is 0465 441226. If you're new to via ferrata and are starting off in the Brenta the SOSAT will probably be the second route you do after the Benini and the first time you'll be confronted with serious exposure when you arrive at the down climb into the gully before the big ladder ascent. Have fun.
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