Waiting for the ski touring season

Oct 29, 2005, a wonderful Indian summer day, any clouds far and wide, perfect visibility. Add to such great weather conditions the autumn atmosphere with its marvelous colors and any hike in the Dolomites turns into a memorable experience, even for natives like us, born and raised here and knowing these mountains inside out. We start in Daunei, a small district of Selva/Wolkenstein, and take the "Palota", a beautiful path which leads to Stevia. Just after having gained some altitude the show of Nature begins with stunning views towards Sciliar/Schlern and the Ortler/Ortles group on the horizon. We keep on walking until we reach Stevia. "Tlo cassu´ iel for bel, unfat tan suenz che n ven su." That’s Ladinian and means: "Here above it’s always nice, no matter how often you get up:" says my friend Arnold, admiring Ciastel de Chedul and Cir peaks. Stevia hut and Col da la Pieres in the background Ciastel de Chedul left, Cir Towers right We head towards Col da la Pieres. as all at once my girlfriend stops and whispers: "Fermi! Guardate quanti camosci, saranno una ventina o anche piu´!" That’s Italian - my girlfriend doesn´t speak Ladinian, she comes from Venice - and means "Look there how many chamois, they must be 20 or even more!" Indeed 100 meters before us there’s a pride of untroubled chamois, looking for food exactly on the path. We advance slowly, until at 50 meters they opt for more peace and jumping gracefully over the rocks they keep those clumsy nasty two legged enemies at bay. We continue our walk and arrive soon at Col da la Pieres bottom. Few switchbacks and the summit cross is reached.

A sandwich with “Speck”, typical South Tyrolean ham, and then we descend the opposite flank towards Furcela Forces de Sieles, where one can enjoy the stunning view of Odle/Geislerspitzen. Odle/Geislerspitzen From the notch the path keeps on uphill until Furcela Nives first and Piz Duleda then. A rest for few minutes, just the time for looking around with the binocular and then the descent in direction Puez high plateau begins.

The afternoon’s light gives the mountains a particular allure: Cima Puez with Cima Lavarella, Conturines and Tofane in the background Sassongher and Monte Pelmo in the background Admiring them we don’t realize that we already arrive in Vallunga/Langental, one of my favorite sites in Valgardena/Gröden. The stunning valley called Vallunga/Langental A nice trip, waiting for the ski touring season....