Rifugio Pizzini

Rifugio Pizzini, officially Rifugio Luigi E. Pizzini - Augusto e Carlo Frattola - Zeledria and often shortened to Rifugio Pizzini-Frattola, is a mountain hut of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) in the Lombard Ortler Alps. It sits at 2,706 metres above sea level at the head of the Valle Cedèc, a side valley of the Valfurva in the Veltlin, Province of Sondrio. The hut lies within the Stelvio National Park, with the main Ortler ridge to the north and east and the Confinale ridge to the west. It is a base for ski mountaineering, trekking and mountain biking, and the Sentiero della Pace (Peace Trail) passes by it. The first hut on the site was built in 1887 and inaugurated in 1888 as Rifugio Cedè. Destroyed during the First World War, it was repaired in 1924 and rebuilt in 1926 by a group of friends of the Milanese alpinist Luigi E. Pizzini, who gave it his name. That group handed the hut to the Milan Section of the CAI, which organised a renovation and extension in 1948 and added a side building named Zeledria in 1963. After Mary Frattola funded a further renovation, the hut's name was extended to include her husband Carlo, an alpine general, and her son Augusto, a well-known alpinist. Today the Rifugio Pizzini is run by the Milan Section of the CAI and accommodates 135 guests. Since 2002 it has had running hot water, central heating and a sauna. Because the surrounding mountains are a popular ski touring area, the hut is open in spring from March to May and then for the normal summer season from mid-June to about the end of September. It is reached in about 1 hour 30 minutes from the car park at Rifugio Forni (2,178 m) via a vehicle track, and it serves as a waypoint for crossings to the Rifugio Cesare Branca, Rifugio Casati, Rifugio Quinto Alpini and Schaubachhütte. Important summit objectives include the Königspitze, Monte Confinale, Cima dei Forni, Cima Miniera, Cima Pale Rosse, Monte Zebrù, Kreilspitze, Schrötterhorn, Suldenspitze, Monte Cevedale, the Zufallspitzen and Monte Pasquale.

The history of the Rifugio Pizzini begins in the late 19th century. A first hut was erected in 1887 and inaugurated in 1888 under the name Rifugio Cedè. This early structure was destroyed during the First World War. In 1924 it was repaired, and in 1926 it was rebuilt by a group of friends of the well-known Milanese alpinist Luigi E. Pizzini, who named it after him. This group of friends then handed the hut over to the Milan Section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI). Under the CAI Milan Section, a renovation and extension was carried out in 1948, and in 1963 a side building was constructed, which received the name Zeledria from the association. After Mary Frattola financed another renovation, the name of the hut was extended to include the names of her husband Carlo, an alpine general, and her son Augusto, a well-known alpinist. The full name thus became Rifugio Luigi E. Pizzini - Augusto e Carlo Frattola - Zeledria, usually shortened to Rifugio Pizzini or Rifugio Pizzini-Frattola. The present Rifugio Pizzini is operated by the Milan Section of the CAI and offers accommodation for 135 guests. Since 2002 it has been equipped with running hot water, central heating and a sauna. Because the mountains around the hut are a popular ski touring area, the Rifugio Pizzini is open in spring from March to May and then for the normal summer season from mid-June to about the end of September. The hut lies at 2,706 metres above sea level at the head of the Valle Cedèc, a side valley of the Valfurva in the Veltlin, Province of Sondrio, within the Stelvio National Park. The main Ortler ridge lies to the north and east, and the Confinale ridge to the west. The Pizzini hut is reachable from the car park at Rifugio Forni (2,178 m) in about 1 hour 30 minutes via a vehicle track. Crossings are possible to the Rifugio Cesare Branca (2,487 m) in 1:30 h, to the Rifugio Casati (3,254 m) in 1:30 h, to the Rifugio Quinto Alpini (2,878 m) in 2:30 h, and to the Schaubachhütte (2,573 m). Important summit objectives include the Königspitze (3,854 m), Monte Confinale (3,370 m), Cima dei Forni (3,274 m), Cima Miniera (3,408 m), Cima Pale Rosse (3,446 m), Monte Zebrù (3,740 m), Kreilspitze (3,391 m), Schrötterhorn (3,386 m), Suldenspitze (3,387 m), Monte Cevedale (3,769 m), the Zufallspitzen (Vordere 3,700 m, Hintere 3,757 m) and Monte Pasquale (3,553 m). The Sentiero della Pace (Peace Trail) passes by the Rifugio Pizzini.

• 2002

  Hut equipped with running hot water, central heating and sauna.

• 1963

  Side building named Zeledria constructed.

• 1948

  Renovation and extension carried out under the CAI Milan Section.

• 1926

  Hut rebuilt by friends of Luigi E. Pizzini and named after him.

• 1924

  Hut repaired after destruction in the First World War.

• 1888

  Hut inaugurated under the name Rifugio Cedè.

• 1887

  First hut erected on the site.

A historic CAI alpine hut in the Stelvio National Park, positioned as a base for ski mountaineering, trekking and mountain biking in the Ortler Alps.

• Alpine hut accommodation for 135 guests

• Ski mountaineering base

• Trekking base

• Mountain biking base

• Sauna and central heating

1. 1Rifugio Pizzini - Frattola - Valfurvarifugiopizzini.it
2. 2Rifugio Pizziniwikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Pizzini-Frattolade.wikipedia.org