Bivouac Matteo Campia - Niculin Gandolfo

Access

The recommended access route starts from Ponte della Vagliotta, near the hamlet of Sant'Anna di Valdieri (CN); the positive difference in altitude is approximately 750 metres, for an average approach time of 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the condition of the path and the load on the rucksack. The route, although always maintained by volunteers and local institutions, runs along rough and partly exposed paths, with passages that require attention, especially in the presence of residual snow or in bad weather. The use of equipment appropriate to the alpine environment and keeping up to date with the latest maintenance work is recommended.

Introduction

The Nicolino Gandolfo bivouac is located in the upper Dragonet valley in the Upper Gesso Valley, at an altitude of 1847 metres above sea level. This alpine shelter, belonging to the Italian Academic Alpine Club, was designed and built in the 1960s by the strong Cuneo mountaineer Matteo Campia, in memory of his friend and climbing partner Niculin Gandolfo, who died in 1961. The construction took place between 1966 and 1970, overcoming considerable logistical difficulties due to the rugged and wild nature of the valley-recognised even today as one of the last unspoilt environments in the Maritime Alps. The inauguration took place on 5 July 1970. Since 2024, the facility has also been re-named after Matteo Campia, ideally bringing decades of mountaineering history and friendship back within its walls.

Description

The bivouac is located on a pronounced rocky outcrop, surrounded by the striking natural amphitheatre formed by the peaks of the Aste and Dragonet groups; it is a solid masonry construction on a single floor with an accessible attic. It currently offers 20 beds (on cots with mattresses and blankets) and houses two separate rooms: a kitchen and a dormitory. Lighting is traditionally provided by candles, while water is easily available in the vicinity. There is no standard electrical system or gas cooker, except for cookers brought by the users and always in compliance with safety rules.
The Gandolfo bivouac is an essential support point for those wishing to undertake demanding ascents of the Dragonet and Asta Soprana and Sottana peaks, renowned for their technical and severe slopes, or for those planning the traverse to the more remote Barbero bivouac, once more frequented but now reserved for expert hikers with good orientation skills. The surrounding area is of naturalistic interest due to the presence of botanical species typical of alpine rocky environments and fauna such as chamois and marmots; nearby, sightings of diurnal birds of prey are not uncommon. The environment retains a wild character, accentuated by some equipped passages along the access path and the absence of mobile phones or other communication services.

Information

Location: Alto vallone del Dragonet
 Height: 1847m
Place/Beds: 20
Ownership:Italian Academic Alpine Club
Lighting:candle
Water:nearby