If you want to do the Marino Bianchi Via Ferrata you could walk up the mountain to the Rifugion Lorenzi up unrelenting scree beneath the wires of the cabin lift, or you can go in the wobbly charming red and yellow antique cabin lift.
The lift up to Forcella Staunies (2919 m), close to Rifugio G. Lorenzi (2.932 m), was built for the Winter Olympics in Cortina in 1956 and to me it doesn’t look as if any major repairs have ever taken place on either the cabins or the infrastructure other than what can be achieved through the use of a glue gun and gaffa tape (see pictures)
When you want toĀ board the cabins, a strict procedure must be observed, you must stand on a particular spot, 2 people at a time on different circles marked on the ground.Ā This is because the cars do not stop or even hesitate as they approach you and each person must take a running ascent onto the weaving cabin as it passes,Ā first one, then the other.Ā This process in itself makes a fairly amusing spectator sport as unwary mountaineers race after or cling to the outside of the cabin, trying to get in.Ā Once you do gain access, you startĀ to wish you hadn’t – Ā there is only room for you both to stand up and as your gaze travels round the confines of your creaking clanking prison, you notice the gaps in the floor, the loose rivets, the glue holding a window in, and the gaffa tape mending the ceiling.Ā All this is necessary if you want to avoid the walk.Ā Its a close call.
On this occasion, our destination was 2 via Ferratae, both starting at the Rifugion Lorenzi, on the Cristallo range of mountains whichĀ is a long, indented ridge with four summits higher than 3,000 metres.
Forcella Staunies cabin lift, Monte Cristallo
The repair job on the Forcella Staunies cabin lift, Monte Cristallo
The gap between the floor and the sides wall in the Forcella Staunies cabin lift, Monte Cristallo
Forcella Staunies cabin lift, Monte Cristallo
You can walk up if you prefer
Approaching the Col on the Forcella Staunies cabin lift, Monte Cristallo
Descending in good style – Forcella Staunies cabin lift, Monte Cristallo
Jane and Ozzy enjoyed the ride together
The top station, – Forcella Staunies cabin lift, Monte Cristallo
Forcella Staunies cabin lift, Monte Cristallo
not at home 
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So bummed it is closed now—would have loved to take a ride in one of the antique gondolas š¦ Too bad there is no footage of people loading/unloading from it—would have been neat to see!!
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