Beyond the Lunatic Fringe- Travels with Robert

Well folks I had a very nice run Saturday. The Sadleback Mountain Marathon in the Cleveland National forest about 45 minutes east of San Juan Capistrano.

I just had a great day. I started out easy despite the temptation to follow those who were running the early hills. I knew that I would do better to just power hike all the uphills. Anything that even looked like it might go up at all I was calling a hill.

The run has a total of 5000 feet of gain. I am not sure if non runners can appreciate that, but here is a comparison. the feared Boston Marathon with "Heartbreak Hill" has a total of 1054 feet of gain.

The first two miles or so were on pavement and more or less rolling so it was walk run walk run.
then the first real hill. well at this point let me show you the elevation profile.

Continue reading "Beutiful weekend in the Cleveland National Forest" »

The remained of the days we hiked 4-8 hours, had plenty of good food and enjoyed the hike immensely.

Highlights- Views from the Refugio Lagazuoi

Food at the Refugio Averau

After our train and bus ride from belluno to Venice we welcomed being immersed in civilization

After an initial flat section we quickly began climbing up for 2 and a half hours to the Porta Sora al Forn. It was a brief downhill to a Refuge the Biella where many people stop for the night. we decided based on our Itinerary to go one hour further.

Refugio Biella where we got a Coke and a smile. all those white "dots" down there? - Sheep!

Continue reading "First leg lago de Braises to Refugio Sennes" »

WE wanted to do another Hut to hut hike in Italy after the very successful Tour of Mt Blanc in
2006. Looking through various sources I came up with the Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites.

The hike extends from Lago de Braises near Austria to Belluno two hours by train to Venice. It is almost directly north to south.Unlike the Tour Of Mt. Blanc the trail stays up in the mountains and does not pass through any towns.
(It is possible to travel by ski lifts down to civilization and near roads to civilization)

The attractions of a multiday hike like this are many. Beautiful scenery, excellent huts with beds,showers and food. No camping! Also after hiking for 4-8 hours it is possible to eat everything and not gain weight. In fact I last a few pounds.

Continue reading "Alta Via 1 Dolomites, Very nice" »

Only a few more weeks until my hike In the dolomites and visit to Venice. I am begining to get excited! We are spending 3 nights in Venice in San Polo in an apartment then taking a bus to Cortina and then Dobbiaco near Austria.

We will spend 9 days hiking staying in mountain Inns called refugio's. You can hardly call it roughing it,in fact I would consider the places very comfortable. As always in Italy the food and wine are local, abundant and fabulous ! Here is an exampe

http://www.sennes.com/

We will be self supporting and navigating. There will be no support car portering our stuff. I will be carrying 25 pounds in order to relieve some of the weight from my wife Peg who may carry 15 pounds or less. But compared to backpacking there are many advantages.We get to sleep in beds, in most cases in private rooms,eat great food,have a great workout every day, a shower
and Not gain any weight!

Not to mention the great scenery of the Dolomites.

Please remember my cause for my December trek in Nepal. The American Himalayan foundation. See the web link on the sidebar.

Below a photo of Refugio Coldai