Beyond the Lunatic Fringe- Travels with Robert

The Alta Via 1 is a 150 Km hut to hut hike with 7300 meters of uphill thats 23,725 ft. for us Americans. .The trail runs north to south begining in Lago de Braises and finishing in Belluno. It passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Dolomites traveling close to some of the famous peaks in the area.

The Hut system in the Dolomites has been called the best in the Alps,this is what got me interested in doing the hike as we had such a good experience with our first hike in the Alps the Tour of Mt Blanc.(There is a trip report on my slowtrav page).

I decided to do the hike in the shortest suggested time which is 9 hiking days.We will be self supported (no SAG wagon or porter) and have no guide.The trail is very clear from our research and we do have substantial hiking experience. We carry all our clothes and everything we need for the 9 days, we will not be passing through any town. Having the hut system in Place means no tent,sleeping bag (just a sleeping sheet required by CAI huts) or stockpiles of food. But it still is about 30 pounds for me and perhaps 15 for Peg (I carry some of her stuff)

Food was very good in all the Italian huts last trip.But when you are as hungry as a bear maybe sawdust would taste good.

We reach our starting point by taking the bus to Cortina stopping for lunch and then another short trip to Dobbiaco where we stay the night before we start the hike.

Hike day 1 -September 1 We take the bus to Lago de Braises and begin the hike along the lake and just after passing the lake begin a 2.5 hour climb up to the Forcella Soro Forno (2388 meters/7833ft). Just past this is the refugio Biella where most people stop. (The non lunatics) we plan to go on for another 1.5 hrs and are staying at the http://www.sennes.com

Sept 2- Rifugio Sennes to Rifugio Fanes

After gaining all the altitude yesterday we drop down into the Valle de Rudo and finish at http://www.rifugiofanes.com. This is the sort of place that makes the trip special.
Look at the photos of the food! I think we will have a great meal here, and I love a place with an "extensive wine list", not exactly the sort of place the average US hiker stays after a long day.

Sept. 3- Rifugio Fanes to Lagazuoi

Climb the Passo de Cimo, 2nd climb up to Forcella del Lago
follwed by a final 500 meter climb up to http://www.dolomiti.org/lagazuoi 2752 meters/8945 feet

Here we are going to have a chance to see the Museo all' Aperto del Grande Guerra and the Galleria del Lagazoi. It consists of the fortifications and tunnels of the Italian amry who were fighting major battles of WW1 up in these mountains. Apparently there was some significant explosions and destruction in the area. It is possible to actually gain access to some of the tunnels and trenches, some of which have relics of the war almost 100 years ago.

Sept. 4- Rifugio Lagazuoi to Rifugio Averau

12 km of rolling with a net downhill followed by a gain of 500 meters in the next 3K. We will be above Cortina at this point and could if we were not lunatics descend by cable car (we don't use them ever!) and get a ride into full on civilization. But the food at the Rifugio is good enough that folks do the opposite and come up for the day. After that hill with 30 pounds on my back at altitude what will I eat? "everything please". More wine- It's an anti-immflamatory!

http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/Cortina/laga5torri/ospitalita/Averau/index.html

Sept 5- Rifugio Averau- Rifugio Citta del fiume

Mostly "flat" I'll believe that one, right. Pastures and wildflowers. Follow the yellow brick road.

http://www.rifugiocittadifiume.it/

Sept 6- Citta Del fiume- Rifugio Sonino al Coldai

Here we have the option of circumnavigating Monte Pelmo.
The guide book says that even Mountain goats would take a lift, but not these goats. I am going to try to get Peg to agree
to this, just "a little harder option" (3 more hours on steep scree, ha ha)

http://www.passeggiando.it/passeggiate/2006/coldai24-250606.htm

Sept 7- Rifugio Sonno al Coldai- Rifugio Passo Duran

Our longest stage "this is a lenghty and slightly strenuous stage" what only 3 hills? The owner of the Duran has climbed K2 so who am I to complain? Its all good, first Hill "that was good can I have another"?

http://www.passoduran.it/

Sept 8- Passo Duran - Rifugio Pian de Fontana

I'm sure we will welcome another climb of nearly 2000 meters today! We pass into the Parco Nazionale delle Dolomiti Bellunesi. Try saying that when You are ascending the Forcella del Moschesin!

http://http://www.dolomitipark.it/Eindex.php

http://www.goldnet.it/piandefontana

Sept 9- Pian de Fontana to Belluno- We are going to opt out here I'm afraid of the alternative route which involves a very steep scree descent. We will just power our way to make it to Belluno grab a Pizza and then take the train to Venice!

Information from "Dolomites Trekking" by Henry Stedman
and "Treks in the Dolomites" by Gillian Price