A small historical excursion

From 1915, during WWI, the high peaks of the Dolomites were an area of fierce mountain warfare. Almost exactly 108 years ago to the day (April 16th, 1916), Italian Alpini attacked the Austrian position in the Sentinella crest. The daring raid took place over the summit ridge of the Cima Undici / Elferkofel (operation Mascabroni). In the process, a soldier named Coutandin accidentally fell down the gully that now bears his name. He survived with a broken leg and became an Austrian prisoner of war.

Present

According to the alpine club guide book, this couloir was only first ascended/climbed in May 2001.
On April 4th, 2024 we did a rare repetition of the Coutandin Couloir, descending on skis.
According to local mountain guides only a few strong local skiers from Sexten did this before.

Couloir Coutandin: AD, 5.2, E3 (45°-50°, 400m)

Sexten Dolomites – Dolomiti di Sesto
Elferkofel – Cima Undici

Gallery