Lago di Sorapiss

High alpine lakes are a rarity in the Dolomites and turquoise blue Lago di Sorapiss in the heart of the Sorapiss mountain group is a gem among them.

"Via ferrata" on the way to Rifugio Vandelli, Sorapiss

Now this is a high class via ferrata!

The Monte Paterno Loop Hike

The final ascent on the Monte Paterno loop hike...one of the finest high country day hikes in the Dolomites!

Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen)

The majesty of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo from the Paternsatel.

Rifugio Lavaredo and the Cadini Group

The Rifugio Lavaredo, as seen from the Paternsatel, is dwarfed by the jagged silhouette of the Cadini group of peaks.

Cinque Torri

The flower-filled meadows around the pinnacles known as the Cinque Torri ("Five Towers") near the Passo Falzarego.

On the Cengia Martini

Exploring the Cengia Martini at Lagazuoi. In the First World War, the Italians held the Cengia Martini ("Martini Ledge") half way up the sheer north face of the Lagazuoi. The Austrians held positions on the top of Lagazuoi.

Descending from Lagazuoi

Hiking to the entrance of the Galleria Anticima from the top station of the Lagazuoi cable car.

Tightrope in the sky

Making our way to the entrance of the Galleria Anticima.

On the Moon

Amidst the austere lunar-like landscape of the Gruppo Sella.

La funivia e chiusa!

After our hike to Rifugio Boe, we hiked back toward Sass Pordoi. At the Rifugio Forcella Pordoi we learned that the Sass Pordoi funivia (cable car) was closed due to high winds. So, we descended from the Rifugio Forcella Pordoi to Passo Pordoi on the Alta Via 2 along with our fellow hikers also caught up in the same predicament. Here we are in the parking lot at Passo Pordoi. The Forcella Pordoi is the prominent notch in the mountain wall about 600+ meters above where we're standing.

In the Edelweisstal (Valle Stella Alpina)

The Edelweisshutte above Colfosco. Spaghetti aglio olio! Fantastico!

En route Colfosco

Hiking to Colfosco beneath the peaks of the Gruppo Cir. The peak of Sassongher dominates this view.

A meadow made for singing at Passo Gardena

The Gruppo Sella as seen from the trail from Passo Gardena to Colfosco. Oh, what a beautiful morning!

The view west from Dantercepies

The Alpe di Siusi and the Schlern as seen from the top station of the Dantercepies gondola at Passo Gardena.

Sassolungo from Gamsbluthutte

The peak of Sassolungo ("Long Stone") from the deck of the Gamsbluthutte. A pleasant place to stop for a cappuccino!

A view of the Sassolungo from near Col Raiser

Glorious flowers and glorious views on the way from Col Raiser to the Gamsbluthutte, Mastle Alm, Val Gardena.

Cables on the way to Forcella Pana

Approaching Forcella Pana. A stiff climb from the Rifugio Brogles!

Sampling a via ferrata ("iron way") in the Dolomites

A stretch of "via ferrata" on the route to the Forcella Pana.

Hiking the Odle Geisler

Climbing to the Forcella Pana from Rifugio Brogles. Forcella Pana is a small pass in the mountain group called Odle Geisler ("Geisler Needles").

Vallunga ("Long Valley") from Mont Seura

Hiking on Mont Seura (Val Gardena) with the Vallunga in the background.

Sunny day on the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)

Photo session on the Alpe di Siusi. The Odle Geisler in the right background.

Crystal morning in Brixen/Bressnone

Morning view of the Weisser Turm ("White Tower") in Brixen seen from the Adlerbrucke.

Alpe di Siusi

One in a million day on the Alpe di Siusi, Dolomites.

St. Valentine Church in Funes

Walking past the St. Valentine church in the Val di Funes.

Sunny day in the Dolomites

In the Val di Funes a.k.a. Villnosstal a.k.a. Viel Nois.

Hiking to Rifugio Comici

The trail to Rifugio Comici on the slopes of the Sassolungo. The peaks of the Odle Geisler rise beyond the fence line.

Marmolada from the Forcella di Sassolungo

The view from the deck of the Rifugio Toni Demetz at the Forcella di Sassolungo. In the foreground is one of the cabins on the lift line from the Passo Sella. The glacier-clad Marmolada, highest peak in the Dolomites, rises in the distance.

The Odle Geisler from Mont Seura

A sunny and very warm day in the mountains. Here is the view of the Odle Geisler from the Malga Cason on Mont Seura, Val Gardena.

St. Jacob Church, Val Gardena

The lovely Church of St. Jacob rises from the woods above the town of Ortisei, Val Gardena.

Buon appetito!

Pasta aglio olio al fresco on the deck of the Gamsbluthutte, Mastle Alm, Val Gardena.

Sassolungo from Col Raiser

Meadows descend from Col Raiser. The Sassolungo ("Long Stone") dominates the view.

Nigritella, the scent of vanilla!

A black vanilla orchid (Nigritella sp) blooms in the meadows of the Mastle Alm. It really does smell like vanilla!

Mastle Alm

Descending the trail from the Forcella Pana toward the Troier Hutte in the Mastle Alm, Val Gardena.

Hiking to Rifugio Brogles

The serrated peaks of the Odle Geisler rise above the Broglessatel, Val Gardena.

Hiking beneath the Sasso Piatto

Hiking to Murmultier Hutte, Alpe di Siusi.

Serenade at Zallinger Hutte

Asen serenades us during lunch at the Zallinger Hutte, Alpe di Siusi.

Alpe di Siusi

Flowery meadows and mountain hut in the midst of the Alpe di Siusi, an extensive meadowland above the Val Gardena. The Schlern is the mountain in the distance.

Summer snow on the Sella

Snow crossing in the lunar-like landscape of the Sella "plateau."

Colfosco in Badia

Hiking past an old barn in the village of Colfosca, Alta Badia.

Alta Badia

Descending from the Cir Group of peaks on the trail into the Edelweisstal and the village of Colfosco. Monte Civetta is the large peak in the distance.

Gathering at the Passo Cir

Sharing the splendor of the Dolomites with our fellow hikers at Passo Cir.

Monte Piana

Looking toward the Cadini Group and the Forcella di Neve di Misurina. A restored Italian trench from the First World War is in the foreground. Somber day for a somber place.

Pian di Cengia

Time for a coffee break at the Rifugio Pian di Cengia in the heart of the Sesto Dolomites. The refuge is known as the Bullelejochhutte in German.

Beer in Boots

A boot-full of beer after a full day on the trail.

Night on the town

The package of utensils at Quinz Pizzeria.

Evening scene at Lago di Misurina

The still waters of Misurina and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (left) and the Cadini (right).

Dolomites Cuisine

Enjoying a Sacher Torte at Rifugio Locatelli.

Hiking in the Sesto Dolomiti

The peaks of the Gruppo Cadini rise behind hikers near the Rifugio Lavaredo.

Dolomiti di Sesto

Hiking to the Paternsatel above the Rifugio Lavaredo.