Dear friends,
The last couple of days, I was hiking in the Dolomites, a high mountain range in the Northern part of Italy. The province is called South-Tyrol, once belonging to Austria. Because of its extraordinary beauty, it became a UNESCO World heritage place in 2009. For four days, I was hiking through tundra like vegetation in high altitude, resting in rifugi (alpine huts) and climbing up and down steep mountain slopes. I would like to share the beauty with you!
Gary Gertraud Wild
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The first day of my stay, I hiked up the Stella Massiv from Colfosco to the cabin Franco Cavazzo al Pisciadu and back to the hotel in Colfosco (I marked my hikes on the map above). Colfosco, located at 1,645 metres (about 5,400 feet) is the highest village with permanent residents in Italy.
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.The dolomites are part of limestone Alps with incredible bizarre and steep rock formations.
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Underneath a powerful root attached to a rock, somebody has built a sanctuary for Mary. It reminded me of my Shikoku pilgrimage, where often I saw little Jizos and Buddhas placed in caves formed by roots and rocks.
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For a long time, I walked beside a creek with cascading water.
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The path, traversing a huge field of loose rocks, would lead to the highest peak of the Sella Massiv, to Piz Boe (10,338 ft). The path was closed due to a dangerous wall of ice on the uppermost part. I walked to the cabin and hiked up the peak from the other side the next day..
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Looking back to the field of rocks elegantly flowing down the mountain, I was in pure awe. The stillness and grandeur of these mountains were overwhelming.
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This is a view from the cabin to a mountain lake. The area is famous for fixed-rope routes (via ferrata). Especially on the way down, I met many mountain climbers with helmets and gears.
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Steep way down into the valley secured by steel ropes. However, this is not a via ferrata!
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For this hike down, it was not necessary to wear a helmet. Solid rock, ropes and iron steps gave a lot of support. Walking on steep slopes with loose gravel is much more difficult.
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A lot of hikers and climbers used this path down to the valley. I was glad that I had walking sticks to give me support.
The weather forecast changed every day and it was difficult to decide which route to take. This was especially true for the hike up to peak Piz Boe. My husband David and I decided to gamble and take the gondola and the chairlift up to the Kostner cabin ( 7 800 ft).
From there, I continued my hike to the peak (10,338 ft).
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Franz Kostner cabin in the distance
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Heavy mist was leaning down to the rugged peaks and filled the gaps between the steep, vertical rocks.
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The alpine paths are extremely well marked and I never had difficulty orienting myself. In the beginning, the path was running along the bottom of the vertical cliffs.
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A little shelter under the vertical rocks for emergencies
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A stretch of the path was on a steep slope secured by steel ropes.
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After the climb, a comfortable bench was inviting the hiker for a rest. I was concerned about the weather and continued on the path up to the peak.
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Fog was constantly rising up from the valley covering the peaks around me.
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Finally, I reached the peak. The view was gorgeous!
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The view kept constantly changing
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Cabin on Piz Boe
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I had minestrone and a glass of apple juice in the cabin before my hike down.
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Another gorgeous view
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View to the Marmolada glacier
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In July, a huge mass of ice had detached itself from the glacier and crashed into the lower terrain, killing and injuring many mountaineers. The effects of global warming are especially severe in the Alps. Another problem of global warming in the lower parts of the Dolomites is the bark beetle killing many trees. Also, due to lack of rain, the water resources of the alpine cabins diminish.
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Along the path, I saw many of these little rock towers.
I had to take the gondola down to the valley by 5 pm. I reached the mountain station seven minutes before the last departure. I was very lucky. If I had not have come in time, I would have had to stay overnight in the Kostner cabin. This was not necessary.
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