"Once again alone in the mountains"
's not quite true: I've done this tour without company. But this time I designed, I left and came back, all alone.
second output of the "new era", but not to disprove, once again I changed my program "in progress". The idea was the yellow larch and Saturday I traveled extensively for guides; at the end were left in the second round by Sleme Vršič, Lake Bordaglia and around the Three Refuges Pusteria. All outputs have already been made, all beautiful places, but the decision did not come.
Well, I said to myself, let come tomorrow, I do not have to account to anyone, I'm free, decide on my desire.
beast but it rains the night at 6 o'clock, time to wake up spontaneously, the starry sky is black and the preparations are fast. At 6 and a half are on the highway, with a strange euphoria. I have not decided yet, if not to discard the Sleme: too short the way, I want to work hard. There remain two other options and decide which Oven Avoltri'll know what to do.
Meanwhile, I enjoy a hearty breakfast in roadside restaurants and then all of the early morning radio programs, including at least three news reports with the usual disastrous news.
Arrival in the mountains almost without realizing it, but the larches in Rigolato are still beautiful and green at the junction of Pierabech the decision is already taken.
Sapphire and S. Stefano di Cadore have drowned in the morning fog, but when viro towards Comelico, appear in the Dolomites, just pulverized by a light snowfall, and a shower of copper coins fall from beech trees shaken by the hair dryer. Everything shines after the rain yesterday, and now I know it was right to come here.
are now in Moso, already awake in the warm morning sun, while at the park there are six degrees of shade and wet batteries is not enough. Childbirth fast to keep warm and a little later comes a good news: the Pian di Ledge is open! Cecchi Brava, I say to myself: what better time to take leave from the Dolomites in good season with a lunch at Pian di Ledge?
Then, just climb on worn stones and dwarf pines that ooze moisture, looking at the top, a longitudinal deep wounds. When a new landslide? How long will these peaks still unrivaled?
The larches are yellow as I wanted, but not light and shade in a cold wind blows Sassovecchio Val. But when the sun? Comes along with Paterno, the pyramid that I climbed with a lot of heartache only a couple of months ago, and everything seems better. Then comes the Tower Toblin and the two twin lakes, and finally the outline of Locatelli and the Three Peaks.
Here again, in this scenario without equal, and with my time with my step, and the only companion of my thoughts. I only stop a few minutes, departs from the twenty people who have grown up here, because the second shelter calls me. Through the gray gravel completely in the shadow of Paterno and is always exciting as looking back, seeing the shrink and get Locatelli Cima Dreischuster with capped peaks.
Change of perspective now and again decided to climb the range, again with slow steps and arms bare, few meetings smiling and silhouettes against the light of those who have already reached the ridge. I have a hard, steep climb up to this final is the last of the day, but I'm tired and my back hurts.
Getting the usual giddiness of a new side, with the relief of back in the sun and the stomach rumbling with hunger.
The Pian di Ledge basks in the sun and is animated, but without the summer crowds. A Radler and a plate of soup are a gala dinner, with his face to the sun with your eyes closed. But we are close to the watershed between one and two is carried out and the weather changes, just in time to leave.
From here to there Comedians other than the silence of the afternoon, batting the ears with a sense of loss. A lonely space that steals every thought and feet that hurt. I'm more tired than usual and my back gives me no peace. But I get off without hesitation, obeying the call of the valley this season, up to ask for a cabin on Monte di Mezzo, still bathed in sunshine, with the fire crackling and my family waiting for me.
larches still on and a sky that has become a choppy sea of \u200b\u200bwhite waves. The last section is an unnatural slope of suffering: the new path, path to artificially get around the landslide, and knees moaning. Finally
the basin, still lapped by the last sun, you can let go of your legs and smell like the back, leaving a 'pet pride to have done and to come back smiling.
TECHNICAL
Card: No Tobacco 1 Cortina and the Dolomites of Sesto
difference in height: 865 m to the Rifugio Locatelli, 117 m further to the refuge of Pian Ledge, total 982 m height difference in
descent: 982 m
DEPARTURE
Reached the village of Sesto Moso in town take the detour to Fischleinvalley, located on the main road in the middle of the village. Walk along the paved detour for approximately three miles to the parking fee (€ 3 for the entire day), where the road ends traveled by private car (or, if you do not want to pay to park, you leave your car in near the start dell'ovovia for Croda Rossa and have it on foot). From here the route to tour the Three Refuges, clearly indicated by a table showing the travel times and the possible opening of refugees (while the valley floor is open all year except the month of November, others meet the usual opening times of the shelters, usually from June 30 to September 30). Follow the paved road that quickly becomes a dirt road on the valley floor along the route there are several deviations but the result is absolutely the same: in twenty minutes, you reach the hut valley.
PATH
Fondovalle From Refuge (1541) to the south - west part is a clear path that leads to high altitude. It goes to a fork evident right at the signpost 102, is reached Locatelli, left Zsigmondy - Comedians. The tour of the Three Refuges can be traversed in both directions, but personally I prefer that to the Locatelli. Then take a right and go up without hesitation or deviation Sassovecchio along the valley beside a stream that flows beneath the imposing of a rope to your left. You'll notice right near the top of the obvious signs of detachment, in October 2006, imposing a landslide poured downstream. Climb with a constant slope, until the vegetation thins out and appear before the Paterno, then Torre Toblin. The atmosphere is wonderful and the location not too demanding. As you are now a large lawn under the Tower Toblin, appear the Three Peaks and the shape of the Locatelli Hut (2405 m) have come to the first leg of the tour, you have covered the most conspicuous difference of 865 m. and if you have spent 2 ½ hours, you're in perfect English media. The stay will be unforgettable, I promise.
If you can not stand more, turn your heels and get to where you came, but if you still have legs and lungs, take my advice and take the route 101, located north - east of the refuge along the scree slopes of the north of Monte Paterno, in a short hour of soft crossing will take you to the Rifugio Pian di Ledge. You'll have to make one short climb worthy of the name of ledges to reach Forcella Pian but the effort is very limited and the views can not miss, especially when they emerge from the seat next to a wooden crucifix and you in front of you another extraordinary world, with the Croda dei Toni, the Cadini Misurina and stretches of mountains as far as the eye lift from the wind. Another ten minutes and you will be at Pian di Ledge, small and charming refuge at an altitude of 2,522, which will amaze you with its own kitchen and a priceless view. When you are sated with food and beauty, you can resume the journey From here it's all down to the valley. Take Refuge in the direction of Zsigmondy - Comedians and with a comfortable and very scenic walk in half an hour you will be at your destination. The Refuge is located on a scenic rocky cliff in front of the Croda dei Toni and the Sundial Sesto, along the ledges which starts the famous Via degli Alpini. Even Here the atmosphere is great and when you are ready, all that remains is along the last 684 meters of descent to return to the hut in the valley. You should not take more than an hour and on arrival, if you still have desires, know that the valley offers delicious buchtel (typical South Tyrolean sweet yeast dough served with vanilla cream), but also yogurt with berries and any other traditional delicacy for the refuge.
CONSIDERATIONS
E 'trip to be missed. I've done in all seasons (winter snowshoe only until Locatelli!) And I can not decide when she is prettier. In summer it is beautiful, with the only drawback of imposing a flow excursion, but only follow it safe with time because the flashes have a strong preference for this area (by the way, "Croda dei Toni" means "thunder of Croda"! ). In the autumn with the yellow larch and semi-desert with emotions not common. On a sunny winter day, the white peaks against the blue sky are the closest thing to paradise you can imagine on earth (ALWAYS ask first on the snow conditions!). It 's a hike without pitfalls, but it still requires proper training and equipment (we still want 5 to 6 hours for the full course, even if The overall height difference does not reach one thousand meters). I never tire of recommending to keep an eye on the weather and remember that over two thousand meters of altitude, you can switch from summer to winter in a few hours, even though we are in the middle of July (yes, I'm terrified of storms and bad weather, but Her Majesty has given me some Mountain strict lessons on the subject, which I never forget!).
