Stage 6 - Rifugi Passo Staulanza to Rifugio Tissi

Saturday 10^th September 2016

8.8kms, 1077m height gain, 606m height loss, 6hrs walking

 Started on the bitumen and then farm track to Malga Vescova (1734). Then uphill via a zig zagging mule track to Rifugio Coldai (2132m). Had morning tea and then continued uphill to Forcella Col Negro (2203m) then down to Lago Coldai for lunch. Andy considered a swim but settled for skimming rocks. Serious downhill over boulders and scree before climbing again to Forcella di Col Rean (2107m) and Rifugio Tissi. Rifugio Tissi has amazing views of the Civetta. Unfortunately there was slight cloud cover but it was still pretty good.

Typical Morning Tea

Stage 5 - Rifugio Averau to Rifugio Passo Staulanza

Friday 9^th September 2016

15kms, 857m height gain, 1556m height loss, 7.5hrs walking

 

Walked from Rifugio Averau to Passo Giau (2236m) on a pseudo belvedere which basically went around the mountain with some ups and downs. From Passo Giau we headed uphill to Forcella Giau (2360m) seeing lots of Marmots on the way. When we arrived at the top we had an amazing view of a meadow in a huge basin where prehistoric man had hunted. We walked around the edge of the basin for the rest of the morning enjoying the views before climbing to Forcella Anbrizzola (2277m). Descended to Rifugio Citta di Fume (1917m) with stunning views of the Pelmo. Finally another belvedere across a scree slope and through a forest to Rifugio Passo Staulanza (1766m).

Stage 4 - Rifugio Col Gallina to Refugio Averau

Thursday 8^th September 2016

8.5kms, 1376m height gain, 1026m height loss, 9hrs walking

 

We had only a few hours walking to reach our accommodation at Rifugio Averau (2413m) so once we had arrived and removed most of our gear from our packs we set out on a day walk to fill in the ‘rest day’. This day has now become infamous as it was certainly NOT a rest day.

We started by walking up an inclined path to Rifugio Nuvolau (2575m) which is situated on the top of a bluff and has amazing views in all directions. The descent from the rifugio is via a cable and ladder assisted path (it is now called a via ferrata and safety equipment is recommended). It was doable without any equipment although Andy said there were cable marks on his hands from gripping the cable so hard. Needless to say it was challenging but we managed it! We then headed to Rif Scoiattoli (2225m) for lunch – seeing our first live chamois on the way. Spent the afternoon exploring more WW1 tunnels and recreated huts at the Cinque Torri before finally facing a further 200m climb back to Rif Averau where we arrived at 4pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage 3 - Malga Fanes Grande to Rifugio Col Gallina

Wednesday 7^th September 2016

9kms, 1318m height gain, 692m height loss, 9hrs walking

 

Left at 7.45 am and walked to Forcella del Lago (2486m). We met some hunters on the way and saw our first chamois of the trip. Unfortunately she was in their backpack and destined for the dinner table! The descent from the forcella was tough and zig zagged down a scree slope. We almost descended to Lago di Lagazuoi but not quite and then started climbing again to Forcella Lagazuoi (2573m). On the way up we started seeing WW1 buildings, relics and tunnels. This area was on the front line between the Italians and Austro-Hungarian empire. Lunch at Rifugio Lagazuoi and then we descended via WW1 tunnels which went through the mountain. Luckily we were able to send our packs via the cable car for pick up at the bottom. The tunnels were incredibly interesting. Spent the night at Rifugio Col Gallina. Finally our first hot showers.