Catinaccio(thesamesizeasElCapitaninYosemite),Cima
AntermoiaandCimaVajolet.
After Passo Principe, we entered the high elevation moonscape
of Conca del Principe with vast fields of summer snow and
limestone, before we commenced our final climb to Passo
Molignon.This time, we were just within our exposure limit, and
wecontinuedourclimbonloosescreewithcompleteconcentration
to thepass.
For a second I felt reckless for bringing the kids to such an
extreme landscape, but their smiles were bigger than mine as they
ate chocolate and contemplated where they’d just been. I think they
realised that our months of pre-holiday training on the steep
terrainof MtLidgbirdandMtGower(onLordHoweIslandwhere
welive)wasworthit justto reachsucha spectacularplace.
After a family cuddle, we descended to the fanciest hut in the
Dolomites, Rifugio Alpe di Tires, for an afternoon tea of chocolate
cake and espresso, shortly followed by a three-course meal and a
glass (or two) of excellent Pinot Grigio from the valley far below. I
could live this day over and over.THE END OF THE LINE
The following day we traversed to the Sassolungo and stayed in one
of the oldest huts in the Dolomites, Rifugio Vicenza. It had no hot
water, simple food and was in desperate need of some extra nails,
but it was the equal of Rifugio Alpe di Tires, for what it lacked in
pizzaz it compensated for with authenticity. You could feel the
mountaineers from 100 years ago planning to climb the 900
vertical metre wall to the summit of the Sassolungo, which started
just outside the front door. In those days, it was one of the hardest
climbs in the world.
Our hike continued to La Villa in Val Badia via the Puez
Dolomites, and to St Vigil via the Braies Dolomites. On our final
dayof walking,wecrossedForcellaRiciogognandsawAustriajust
to thenorth.We’dhikedtheentirelengthof theDolomitesregion,
fromsouthto north,andhadrunoutof passesto cross.Thenext
climbwasupto theglaciersof theZillertalAlps,andthatwasa bit
tooseriousforus– at leastfornow.CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:
On the way down, chatting about our time in the Dolomites;
a perfect adventure destination for young teens; a beautiful
valley floor village.
Outdoor \ 91