Trekking in the Dolomites
After a few days in Venice I traveled to Treviso to trek the Dolomite mountains in Val Badia. As I traveled deeper into the heart of the Dolomites I began to notice the change in the locals' accents and facial features and the architectural features and landscape. I stayed one night in Corvana in Val Badia and then in the morning traveled by bus to Passo di Falzerego (2105m). Then I took the cable car to Passo di Lagazuoi (2752m) in Parco Naturale di Fannes-Sennes-Braies.
From Passo di Lagazuoi I trekked for 7-8hours/day over rough and difficult terrain. The ground consisted mainly of hard rocks and stones the surface of the rocks were covered with fine sand. Within the first half an hour of my solo trek I strained the ligaments in my left ankle and then after a few hours of trekking I started to develop tenderness and pain in my left knee. I traversed across lakes situated at 1700m and climbed along narrow passages wedged between cliffs at 2200m and trekked mountains that rose from 1700m to 2400m then traversed plains where sheep, cows and goats grazed. The sound of the bells around their necks ‘clinkered’ across the fields and finely tuned the silence around me.
After lunch at Scotoni Hutte (2040m) I embarked on a mountain climb that felt like vertical 90 degree ascent. The climb was seriously so steep and difficult that I had to stop every 10 minutes (or after five paces), to regain my breath because I was unable to acclimatise to the high altitude and my leg was aching... then when I was about to reach the summit of the last cliff face, I heard some rocks falling around me and the wedge on the side of the mountain that I had to pass was so narrow and the incline so steep that I could feel the weight of my back pack, forcing me backwards. There was no one else in sight, I was tired physically and mentally and at this point I started to get concerned, especially as no one knew where I was.
Fortunately despite the precarious nature of the day's trek, my strained joints and the summit climb; the first days trek was basked in sunshine and blessed with clear blue skies. However the Dolomite mountains are formidable and unforgiving and as I experienced the following day the weather can change both dramatically and quickly. Near Fanes there is a small rustic and simple chapel. I entered and on the altar saw some rocks which i presummed had been elft by other trekkers. I reached into my pocket and placed the small rock I had been carrying in my pocket during the days former trek and in a book wrote a prayer of thanks. 'Thank you for the courage, ability & capacity to live my dreams and please guide me in my future endevours'.
Sadly I was unable to walk the following day, even with the aid of a walking stick which I created from discarded wood. My joints were inflammed and with the wet weather and poor visability, I decided it was unwise to continue. However given my remote location and the areas limited transport I was advised that I would be unable to leave the Parc until the following day. Earlier in the day one of the waiters from the Fanes Rifugio had offerred to give me a lift to the nearest town if I was unable to walk. After attempting a mountain climb and returning after 2hours in pain, I sat in the mountain hut and ate goulash, red wine and strudle and listened to the locals conversing in dilect as I read my novel and waited for my new friend. At 15oopm my friend arrived and reassured me that where ever I needed to go, they would drive me there. But rather than drive me to the nearest town my 'angel' drove me to Brunico (130km round trip) where I caught the train home to Florence. I entered the station to buy my train ticket and us coffees and when I turned around she said "No that's ok.. I better go anyway, 'cause I have to drive back and I don't want to be late for my last shift.. Hey good luck.. It was nice to meet you!..."
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