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 trail towards the canyon on our right. Well before reaching the canyon, blue markings by a little junction indicate we go left & up, 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 its way up through the trees and brings us closer to the canyon. At this point there is a bigger cairn, marking an emergency exit, but we continue up on 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'. Up on the chimney we continue shortly straight, then rapidly descend towards Susanna on our right (blue markings lead the way). A higher entrance exists but offering little reward with only 2 more obstacles won.

Jump 3m 15m 1 bolt with ring in the middle on a stuck boulder (overhang). 21m 2 bolts one with ring left, in a niche, double drop. 6m optional MC to install from 1 bolt, left, alternatively tobogan with exposed exit. 25m 2 bolts, left, one with ring, from a hanging pool, 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, alternatively 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, alternatively downclimb. 35m 2 bolts one with ring, right, make sure to perfect the rope retrieval. 30m 2 bolts one with double ring on a ledge, low, left. 15m 1 bolt with ring, right. 20m 1 bolt with ring + 1 small abalakov, left. 20m 1 bolt + 1 abalakov, right. 10m MC, left, from 2 bolts 50-60m two 8mm bolts with ring (placed by a 2nd team) one of which is now backed up to more solid rock, however cutting edge still exists, active belaying. Emergency anchor for smaller ropes, right, at -47, one bolt, 10m. Walk + tobogan, natural anchor or abalakov optional. Possible escape right towards the trail of the approach. 40m 2 spits, left, backed up with 12mm, geyser with high flow 5m downclimb or natural anchor 20m optional abalakov, right, or downclimb, left. Exit right by the water outtake-black tube/water supply of the locals.

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.