Bivacco Rossi Volante everything you need to know
Discover everything about Bivacco Rossi Volante at 3850 meters.
Where is the Bivacco Rossi Volante?
The Bivacco Rossi Volante is located at an altitude of 3850 meters, at the Colle delle Rocce Nere of the Breithorn, in the municipality of Ayas in the Aosta Valley. It is positioned on a rocky spur below the north face of the Rocce Nere, in a spectacular glacial environment.
How many beds are there at the Bivacco Rossi Volante?
The bivouac offers 12 beds. It is not guarded, so you will not find managers or catering services. It is a wooden structure covered with black metal sheet, making it less visible among the rocks. Inside, there are essential spaces for overnight stays, designed for those who practice high-altitude mountaineering.
How do you reach the Bivacco Rossi Volante from Val d’Ayas?
From Val d’Ayas, you start from the Rifugio Mezzalama or the Rifugio Guide d’Ayas (Lambronecca). From there, you traverse the Verra glacier towards the Colle della Porta Nera. The ascent time is about 3 hours and 30 minutes. It is a mountaineering route, with crevassed sections, requiring rope, ice axe, and crampons.
Is it possible to reach the Bivacco Rossi Volante from Plateau Rosà?
Yes. Another access route starts from Testa Grigia (Plateau Rosà). You cross the Colle del Breithorn and reach the bivouac in about 4 hours. Again, the difficulty level is PD (not difficult but mountaineering), so experience and complete equipment are necessary.
Can you reach it from Aosta or Turin by public transport?
For public transport, it should be noted that the bivouac is not directly connected. You can reach by bus to Champoluc or Saint-Jacques in Val d’Ayas. From there, you need to continue on foot to the Mezzalama or Guide d’Ayas refuges, and from these, start the mountaineering part. There are no bus or cable car connections that take you directly to altitude.
Where to park the car to climb to Bivacco Rossi Volante?
Those traveling by car can park in Saint-Jacques, the last village in Val d’Ayas. From here, the trail to the refuges begins. In the summer months, parking can be crowded, so it's advisable to arrive early in the morning to find a spot. From Saint-Jacques, it takes about two and a half hours to reach the Rifugio Mezzalama.
What is the bivouac like up close?
The bivouac is built of wood and covered with black sheet metal. It has two small square windows and a central door. It is surrounded by a steel railing with a ladder, which makes it easier to spot from afar. There is no running water: the only source is the melting snow. The location is spectacular because the bivouac overlooks one of the highest and wildest areas of Val d’Ayas.
Who owns the Bivacco Rossi Volante?
The bivouac belongs to CAI UGET of Turin. It was designed as a resting point for climbers traversing the four-thousanders on the border between Italy and Switzerland. It is located about a kilometer from the Rifugio Guide d’Ayas and 360 meters higher.
What are the difficulties of the itinerary to Bivacco Rossi Volante?
The main difficulties are related to the glacial nature of the route. The sections are often crevassed, and the approach requires the use of rope, ice axe, and crampons. The ascent from the Rifugio Guide d’Ayas takes about 3 hours. For those coming from Plateau Rosà, the times are similar. It is not a classic hiking excursion: it is a medium-difficulty mountaineering route.
What kind of experience does a night at Bivacco Rossi Volante offer?
Spending a night at Bivacco Rossi Volante means sleeping in a unique glacial environment, surrounded by the walls of the Rocce Nere and the glaciers of Monte Rosa. The atmosphere is essential and spartan, but that is what makes it fascinating: outside the windows opens a stunning panorama of the border mountains and the Verra glacier.
