Raimondo and Wendy drove us in their elderly Jeep up to a remote high valley to visit a friends cheese making hut, and drop us off for a hut/glacier hike, then descend 6300 feet back to Grumo (home).
- Grumo (2200') -> drive up past dam (Lk. Luzzano) -> through very narrow local tunnel (1/2 mile long one vehicle width) and primarily a private road for the locals. It's called Val di Carissina. Definitely suggest a 4-wheel drive.
- Raimondo states "No Seat Belts" up here. Thrown free is much safer than being locked in. Hmmm.
- About 90 minutes up to Alp Bresciana (6170') to 2 friends who milk several dozen cows and make cheese. Got the complete tours. Just looks like typical hut on the outside --- but inside a totally dialed cheese making facility.
- Hut and stalls originally used by Swiss Army for defense (horses and training). Built in 1923. Now it's used for cows, milking and cheese making. Raimondo gave us a very informative, complete tour of the tiny facility.
- SEE SLIDESHOW for pics.
- Ended up with coffee and fresh cream. One tiny hut camaflouged inside of hill keeps a constant cool temperature and holds around 400 bricks of cheese to be delivered at the end of the season. Each brick is worth around 200SF. You do the math.
- Left around 1pm for Cab. Adula located further up the valley and a nice climb to 7,867'. Brief rest, then ascended higher up to 8,500' to get a view of the retreating Rheinwaldh glacier. Spectacular views up here.
- Descended 1100' in 20 minutes back to Cab. Adula. Legs are in great shape and trekking poles make rapid descent pretty thrilling.
- Brief rest, then finished descending another 5000' down to Dongio (valley floor), and another mile on trail back to Grumo.
Over 8,600 of ascent/descent today over 10+ miles. Legs and body held up fantastic. Somewhat warm (90's), but kept well hydrated.
- Went down the river adjacent to their property to cool down; updated stuff on the internet; then Wendy cooked a great spaghetti dinner (with local butter from the hut).
- Continued great conversation with Raimondo and the girls. Wonderful family and now good friends.
- See SLIDESHOW for fun pics.