Croce Rossa, Mountain summit at France-Italy border
Croce Rossa is a 3,566-metre summit on the France-Italy border, at the head of the Viù Valley above the Arnas gully in the Lanzo Valleys. Its upper section is pale grey and white, with snow filling gullies and clinging to ledges, above broad dark grey to nearly black rock faces. The summit ridge carries several jagged points: a higher pointed peak on the left, a rounded snowy shoulder to its right, then a lower, more broken ridge continuing rightward.
The first recorded ascent was made in 1857 by A. Tonini. The mountain rises to 3,566 m on the border ridge that runs north from the Rocciamelone toward the Levanne, above the head of the Viù Valley and its Arnas side valley. A Madonna statue now stands on the summit.
A Madonna statue stands on the summit, symbolizing the transition point between French and Italian alpine territories. This religious figure shapes how the place looks and connects the traditions of both nations.
Two mountain refuges provide shelter for climbers: Refuge d'Avérole at 2,210 meters and Rifugio Luigi Cibrario at 2,616 meters. These huts facilitate multi-day expeditions and offer places to rest and acclimatize before attempting the summit.
The summit carries a statue of the Madonna, visible on the ridge in clear weather. On the Italian side, below the mountain, lies the Lago della Rossa, a large artificial reservoir held at high altitude.
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