Hiking in the Dolomiti Near Cortina d'Ampezzo by Steve Ford These ...
Hiking in the Dolomiti Near Cortina d'Ampezzo by Steve Ford These ...
Hiking in the Dolomiti Near Cortina d'Ampezzo by Steve Ford These ...
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Day 4 - Rifugio Lagazuoi to Rifugio Croda da Lago (Palmieri)<br />
D) Descend to <strong>the</strong> south on <strong>the</strong> road (464), and <strong>the</strong>n left<br />
onto 452 south to Passo Giau (2236 m). Aga<strong>in</strong>, <strong>the</strong>re<br />
is a Rifugio at <strong>the</strong> Pass that offers food and shelter,<br />
should <strong>the</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r be bad.<br />
This trail was well marked like <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs, but just<br />
before Passo Giau <strong>the</strong> trail passes <strong>in</strong>to a bolder field<br />
between <strong>the</strong> edge of <strong>the</strong> grassy slopes and <strong>the</strong> cliffs<br />
above <strong>the</strong> pass. The trail seem to split <strong>in</strong>to lots of<br />
tributaries <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> bolder field and somehow we lost<br />
<strong>the</strong> real trail. See<strong>in</strong>g a microwave station just above<br />
<strong>the</strong> pass we knew <strong>the</strong> trail would pass <strong>by</strong> that, so we<br />
scrambled our way over to that and picked up <strong>the</strong><br />
trail <strong>the</strong>re. You may want to stay especially alert for<br />
those red and white stone markers <strong>in</strong> this area.<br />
D - 3.0, 177m �<br />
E) Cross <strong>the</strong> road and follow a beautiful high level variation of <strong>the</strong> Dolomites high route “1”<br />
sou<strong>the</strong>ast on trail 436 all <strong>the</strong> way to <strong>the</strong> Forcella Ambrizola via <strong>the</strong> Forcella Giau.<br />
This part of <strong>the</strong> route covers a lot of ground with a lot of terra<strong>in</strong> variety. The first half km is<br />
quite level on very benign terra<strong>in</strong>, <strong>the</strong>n over <strong>the</strong> next half km it cont<strong>in</strong>ues contour<strong>in</strong>g across a<br />
very steep slope until arriv<strong>in</strong>g at Forcella de Col Piomb<strong>in</strong>. From <strong>the</strong>re is slowly descends<br />
until it turns up aga<strong>in</strong> for <strong>the</strong> ascent of Forcella Giau. This was a fairly short ascent, but <strong>the</strong><br />
trail was muddy and slippery. With <strong>the</strong> dark clouds mov<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> and <strong>the</strong> poor trail conditions it<br />
felt a bit like we were climb<strong>in</strong>g Mt. Doom and we wondered what sort of descent we might<br />
f<strong>in</strong>d on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side of <strong>the</strong> pass. Much to our delight, we discovered a sort of high plateau<br />
with gently roll<strong>in</strong>g pastures and a very gentle descent. Add<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> pleasant surprise <strong>the</strong><br />
sun broke through just as we arrived at <strong>the</strong> top. Picture "The Sound of Music" with Julie<br />
Andrews whirl<strong>in</strong>g about on a high Tyrolean pasture.<br />
E - 4.9 km, 244m �, 203m �