Mountaineer perishes upon tumble during ascent of Rocca Castello in high Maira valley
In a tragic turn of events, Enrico Bolla, a 56-year-old alpinist and lieutenant with a special rank at the Carabinieri Cadets School in Turin, lost his life while ascending the Cresta Sigismondi, a classic climb of Rocca Castello (grade 5a) in the Cuneo Alps.
The incident occurred in the high valley of Maira around 3 pm, and the alarm was promptly raised. The Financial Guard, Piedmont Alpine Rescue technicians, and the Air Rescue Service responded swiftly to the scene. A helicopter was dispatched to the incident site, where it landed near the accident location.
At the time of the accident, Bolla was roped with a companion, but further information about the climbing partner was not provided. Bolla slipped during the ascent, leaving him hanging about fifty meters lower. Despite immediate efforts, including CPR, the doctor could only confirm Bolla's death at the base of the wall.
Following the incident, the Financial Guard Alpine Rescue team took over the judicial police operations at the site. The team also recovered Bolla's climbing partner and, later, Bolla's body.
It's worth noting that the alpinist who died was not Walter Bonatti, the renowned Italian mountaineer. Bonatti, widely considered one of the greatest climbers of his era, is still alive and has survived many dangerous climbs, known for his exceptional skill and endurance. If you are referring to a different incident or a different climber, please provide more details or clarify the time period for accurate information.
Enrico Bolla had recently joined the Carabinieri Cadets School in Turin as an instructor in the training section. His passing has left a deep sense of sorrow among his colleagues and the wider alpinist community. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
The average difficulty level of the Cresta Sigismondi is grade 5a, a challenging climb for even the most experienced alpinists. Despite his exemplary skills, Enrico Bolla, a sports enthusiast and instructor, tragically lost his life while attempting this climb.
