Vertically developped, continuous and not too aquatic, Susanna makes for a great canyon in Spring or when other canyons have too much water. It is one of the most recent tour in this part of the Dolomites (Sept. 23). It is east-facing, morning sun obliges.

Vertically developped, continuous and not too aquatic, Susanna makes for a great canyon in Spring or when other canyons have too much water. It is one of the most recent tour in this part of the Dolomites (Sept. 23). It is east-facing, morning sun obliges.

Claut - Valle Settimana - park by Stalle Susanna (first barn on the opposite side of the river Settimana), marked by a road sign. From June-July to the 3rd Sunday of Sept. there is a road fee 6 EUR/car or 10EUR/van, payable in cash or card at the entrance of the valley. Note, there have been landslides after prolonged periods of heavy rain, mostly further upstream. Most canyons are an easy mountainbike-ride from Claut.

Cross the main river on a wooden bridge slightly upstream from the parking. On the backside of the barn (Stalle Susanna) is an ancient oven, and start of a clear trail towards the canyon on our right. Well before reaching the canyon, find a cairn with blue marking, to leave the obvious trail to our left, immediately confirmed by another blue marking on a small pine tree. This trail is now faint, but marked with blue dots and the occasional cairn, it zigzags through the trees and brings us closer to the canyon. At this point there is a bigger cairn, marking an emergency exit just before the end of the canyon, but we continue up, to our left, steep and at times not so clear, but always marked. The trail uses the forest on the ascending ridge (offering views and occasional phone reception) towards the final chimney 'Col Della Question'. We continue straight, then rapidly descend towards Susanna on our right (blue markings lead the way).

Jump 3m 15m 1 bolt with ring in the middle on a stuck boulder (overhang) to a first hanging pool. 21m 2 bolt one with ring left, in a niche in the obvious corner of the hanging pools, double drop. 6m optional handline to install from 1 bolt left, or tobogan with exposed exit from a hanging pool. 25m 2 bolts left, one with ring, start of the vertical, U-shaped part of the canyon. 10m handline to install from 1 abalakov + 1 bolt right to the top of the 76m 'goulotte'. 76m 2 bolts with ring left: 2 intermediate anchors -25m (2 bolts w. ring) & -45m (2 bolts w. double ring), both left. Possible escape on the right, not verified. 20m 1 bolt with ring in the middle. 19m 1 bolt with ring left. 20m 1 bolt with ring left. Downclimb little pools. 5m optional abalakov right or downclimb into the pool with stuck boulder, anchors are on the right. 35m 2 bolts one with ring right (make sure to perfect the rope retrieval) to a ledge on the left (lower than one would expect). 30m 2 bolts one with double ring on a ledge left. 15m 1 bolt with ring right. 20m 1 bolt with ring + 1 small abalakov left. 20m 1 bolt + 1 abalakov right. 10m handline left from 2 bolts 50-60m from 2 bolts with ring (in cracked rock, for safety reasons it is now backed up to a 10mm anchor on solid rock - this anchor is subsequently placed by cavers but it unfortunately it didnot solve the cutting edge, active belaying!). 8m (optional) abalakov right bank, or downclimb left bank. Walk 50m, toboggan (natural anchor optional). Possible escape right towards the trail of the approach. 40m 2 spits left (those cavers again) we triangulized and 2 old pitons halfway down (not tested). 20m optional abalakov right or downclimb left. The water outtake (black tube) should not be bothered, exit right.

Exit right bank towards the trail of the approach (cairn), or continue in the main river (longer).

Susanna has a small water catchment area, largely depending on rain or snowmelt.