Aug 18-22: Val Gardena (the Dolomites), Italy

Post date: Sep 1, 2014 3:35:37 PM

Aug. 22: Our last day and last big hike. Summit Gran Cir and loop to Puez Hüt.

• Dantercepies lift (downtown Selva) to 2297m (7300 ft)

• Ascend the summit Gran Cir (2592m; 8500 ft) > descend to Forc Cir (2468m) > loop to Furc Crespeina (2528m) > loop to Furc Deciampei (2366m). Descending and ascending between each of these passes.

• Arrive at Puez Hüt (2475m; 8120 ft) for lunch.

• Return to Selva via the high trail and descend into Vallunga Langental (valley) > Selva (5130 ft).

• 11 1/2 miles Ascend 3000 ft. Descend 5600 ft.

Aug. 21: Darren's epic mountain bike day in the Dolomites.

• • All riding at elevations between 4500 ft and 7900 ft

  • Two days of standard loops in a single day.

    • Loop #1: Selva > St Çhristina > Alpe di Siusi > Zallinger Hüt > Campitell di Fassa > lift to SellaJoch > descend back to Selva

    • Loop #2: Selva > St Christina > ascend to Raschötz Hüt > descend to Seceda midstation > Col Raiser lift to Seceda > descend to Regensberger Hüt > loop back to Selva

• 47 1/2 miles total. 7,400 ft of climbing; 2,700 ft descending

Aug. 20: Hike a figure 8 amongst the Langkofel Group (German: Langkofelgruppe), a massif in the (western) Dolomites.

• Bus 20 minutes to Sella Pass. (2180m; 7152 ft). Begin clockwise on historic Friedrich August Weg (hike).

• Loop to Plattkofel Hüt > trail #525 to Langkofel Hüt (2253m; 7392 ft).

• Ascend the chute between the Plattkofel and Langkofel up to the Demetz Hüt (pass elev: 2681m; 8796 ft)

• Descend under the chair lift half-way down, then take a goat trail counterclockwise (high panoramic trail just below the cliffs) back towards the Rif Comici.

• Descend down to LaSelva and our lodging.

• 15 1/2 miles; ascend 4230 ft; descend 6200 ft. Tired feet and legs today.

Aug. 19: Bus to Ortesi (20 minutes). Funicular to Rasciesa Hüt (2282m; 7487 ft).

• • High trail (panorama) to Brogles Hüt > Gschnagenhardt Hüt (lunch)

  • Ascend switchbacks up to Furcela Pana (a 2000 ft climb) to 2987m (9800') and the Seceda plateau.

  • Descend through the alpe de cisles to the Col Raiser Hüt and down to the Resensberger Hüt.

  • Loop back to Selva (1563m; 5128 ft) to Garni Tramans (our lodging).

• 16.5 miles; 5000 ft climbing; 6200 ft descending.