Sunday, July 26, 2009

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!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

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.

Friday, July 24, 2009

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.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

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.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

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.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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.

Monday, July 20, 2009

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").

Monday, July 13, 2009

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.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

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.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

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.

Friday, July 10, 2009

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.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

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.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

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.

Monday, July 6, 2009

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.