The Vagabond Hiker

Hiking, trekking, and climbing the world

Walks and Ferratas among the High Peaks of the Dolomites

Early morning a few hours before my flight to Dubrovnik Croatia, and I hastily dash off another blog post.  During the past three weeks I have done some easier hiking in the meadows and woods of the Dolomites as well as some adrenaline-pumping climbs on expert level via ferratas (VF), again with OnTop Mountaineering out of Canmore, Alberta.  First the easier hikes and walks…

Cencenighe Agordino. A late August morning view from my apartment after snowfall the night before.
View of Lago Alleghe. The giro di Alleghe was a pleasant one hour stroll around the lake.
View of part of the Civetta Massif from the Pian de Pelsa, following a 900m ascent on a gondola from the town of Alleghe.
Rigugio Coldai on Civetta. This hike was along the northwest flank of this mighty mountain.
Detail of Common Monkshood seen above Rifugio Coldai
Lago Coldai on Civetta’s Northwest flank
A Rhaetian poppy on Civetta
Willow-leaved Gentian seen on the descent through the woods from Civetta’s northwest flank
Lago Alleghe from the descent to Masare from Civetta’s northwest flank. The town of Alleghe is partially seen on the right side of the lake.
Meadow Saffron (aka Autumn Crocus) above Cencenighe. There were fields of these flowers in bloom.
Civetta in clouds from its eastern side during my circuit of Monte Pelmo hike. This day was the only one I was caught out in the rain.
Edelweiss near Passo Valles
A late season Gentian near Passo Valles
Cencenighe Agordino, behind my apartment. This road becomes the path that traverses high above the Cordevole Valley up to Lago Alleghe
Interesting mushroom on the path above the Cordevole valley
A typical view along the high level path above the Cordevole valley. It was wonderful finding such a lovely walk right out my back door.

And now the ferratas. All the photos with me in them were taken by another client, Ron, who was our unofficial photographer. My thanks to him for sharing these with me so quickly.

Climbing at the start of the Via Ferrata delle Trincee, with our guide Walter below me.
The Marmolada in clouds from the VF Trincee. We would climb it only 3 days later.
Climbing on VF delle Trincee, definitely expert grade, though not a particularly long route.
Our OnTop group on a VF della Trincee knife edge. Note the wooden bridge.
The Civetta Northwest face from VF della Trincee
Ron traversing on the VF Tomaselli with a lot of air beneath him
Me pulling over a crux on the VF Tomaselli
View of where we climbed up to Punta Sud on the VF Tomaselli. Despite appearances, it didn’t rain where we were that day.
The Moiazza (VF Costantini) in the early morning light. This was our longest day, about 11 hours and 1500 meters gain on this expert level ferrata.
Me climbing the VF Costantini
Smiling during a short rest on the VF Costantini
Monte Pelmo from Moiazza. This not-so-good photo shows the mountain from the south. I had just done the circuit the week before.
Our group that reached the top of Moiazza Sud (2878m)
Me descending a crux on the VF Costantini. My carabiner got caught on a U-bolt here, necessitating me using a Quick Draw to help free it.
Our full group on day 4, the VF Marmolada to the top of Marmolada.
Our group ascending an ice field on Marmolada. I am in front here
Another group heading up the Marmolada West Ridge VF route
Me with Miriam behind, ascending an easy snow field on Marmolada
View north from Punta Penia on the Marmolada, the highest in the Dolomites at 3343 m.
Punta Penia rifugio on Marmolada. They bring in supplies by helicopter, making the $4.50 for a soda a relative bargain.
Chopper seen hovering from Punta Penia. I’m not quite sure what that building is.
Panorama of me and others in our group hiking up to the VF Cesare Piazzetta on day 5. The top of this massif is Piz Boe, although our route didn’t go all the way to the summit.
Our guide Walter, with Ed and Luba behind, climbing the Piazzetta
Me on an ascending traverse of VF Cesare Piazzetta
Me crossing a bridge on the VF Cesare Piazzetta.
Our guide Walter having a well-earned rest at the gondola station after completing the VF Cesare Piazzetta.  Gondola ascents and/or descents were always welcome wherever possible.

My next post will be at the beginning of October after my hikes in Croatia and Bosnia these next two weeks. Until then, enjoy the autumn outdoors,

The Vagabond Hiker

 

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