Italy - Dolomites - Day #11

Sunday, August 16th

Refugio Coldai to Refugio Vazzoler

1,400’ vertical

6.5 miles

It’s 3pm - I’m currently resting in the bottom bunk of a 4-person dorm in Refugio Vazzoler.  This place is great!!  One of the top 2 Refugios on the entire trip. There’s a bunch of folks here that we have spent some time with over the course of the trip.  Dinner/drinks should be great tonight.  This trip is interesting - as nearly everyone has a different itinerary - so you’re meeting new people all the time - but haven’t spent consistent time with anyone.  Every couple days you end up staying at the same place as someone you met 2 days prior.  

Today was a shorter day for us - so we added another 1.2 miles and 400’ gain to grab some breakfast at Refugio Tissi (about 3 miles into the hike).  The hike overall was rolling hills and we ended the day on a descent - which was a pleasant change from most days on our trip.  

We ended up getting to the Refugio about noon.  We’re getting efficient at chores - as we were checked in, showered, and eating lunch by about 1pm.  This place has an incredible outside seating area - with stunning views.  The mountains are so close - it feels like you can almost reach out and touch them.  

Tomorrow (Monday) is our last hiking day and then we fly back to the US on Tuesday - and I’ll be in the office on Wednesday.  The trip has flown by - but it’s been really incredible.  The Dolomites are a place I could t recommend more.  The vibes are great, the people are friendly, and the views are breathtaking.  

I’ll check in later - dinner is set for 6:30pm.  We’re going to head outside soon to meet up with the crew and just enjoy the night.  

9pm - a great dinner to end our Refugio stays for the Dolomites!   Really nice conversations with a couple from North Carolina, 2 girls from New Zealand, and a couple girls from Philadelphia/New York.  So many different hiking trips - almost nobody has a similar agenda. 

Tomorrow is Greg’s B-Day   Hoping for an excellent hiking day and then we’ll end the day in Belluno - over a perfect celebration dinner.

Good night from the Dolomites!!

Italy - Dolomites - Day #10

Saturday, August 15th

Refugio Croda Lago to Refugio Coldai. 

2,800 vert

11 miles

It’s 5:15pm - I’m currently in the bottom-bunk of a 4-person dormitory room at Refugio Coldai.  I just finished up a 40-minute nap — today was a tough one.  

The Refugio we’re in tonight has an in incredible location - sitting high up on a mountainside.  The Refugio is, however, very remote — and lacks some of the perks found in other Refugio’s we’ve experienced along the way.  (1) - Room size.   The room I’m staying in is very, very tiny - and has 2 bunk beds - so 4 people total.  Each bunk is pushed against a side wall and the back of the room - and you cannot walk between the bunks unless you shuffle sideways.  There is about a 2-3’ space in front of each bunk to move.  I’ve put my backpack in a room downstairs - and only have a couple items with me in the room - sitting with me in the bed.   (2) No electrical outlets anywhere on any of the 2 floors where guests are staying.  In order to plug anything in - there’s a couple plugs in the dining room when you enter the Refugio.   (3). Bathrooms - there are no bathrooms on the 2nd story of the Refugio - we must go down to the 1st floor.  (4). Electricity - there is no lights in the room I’m in.  (5) No wi-fi. — this one happens sometimes - but reliable wi-fi is only found in the dining area.   (6) You have to walk through another person’s room to get to our room.  So - anytime we leave our room - we have to knock to make sure it’s Ok to go through another 6-person dorm room.  It’s a bit odd for sure. 

Honestly - the things I just mentioned aren’t really that bad.  I have a bed to sleep in and they are feeding us later.  It’s all good.  It’s funny how we can get so comfortable with basic conveniences - that when they are taken away - it seems like such a big deal.  

The hike today was the longest mileage hike of the trip - with over 11 miles.  We had a bunch of rolling terrain for the majority of the day.  This held up until the last 2.5 miles - when we were faced with a very steep 1,500’ climb.  It’s weird - I’ve climbed 12 - 14ers just this year in Colorado - where I regularly have 4,000’ ascents.  But here - 1,500-2.000’ ascents seem more difficult.  I think it comes down to me carrying an extra 15-20 pounds in my pack and the fact the temperatures are in the high 80s most days.  High temps are my kryptonite - and it just takes it out of me. 

We finished up the hike at 2pm and were able to get a shower on the 1st floor.  We then grabbed a snack/drink n the dining area for about an hour.  That brings me up to date - and I’ll check in after our 6:30pm dinner.  

8:30pm - I had a really nice dinner tonight   Pork chops, vegetable soup, and yogurt with blueberries   Greg and I talked through the plans for the next couple days since we had dinner on our own tonight.   It’s going to be an early evening for me - I’m a tired feller.  

Good night from the remote Refugio Coldai - in the beautiful Dolomites!

Italy - Dolomites - Day #9

Friday, August 14th

Refugio Averau to Refugio Croda da Lago

1,500’ vertical

6.5 miles

It’s 4pm on Friday, August 14th.  I’m resting in the bottom bunk of my 6-bed dormitory in Refugio Croda da Lago.  I’m starting to really like this 1-2 hr window in the late afternoon each day - to just rest/chill.  It’s the first time I can just have time to myself and let the mind relax.  

Today was another great day - completing our hike at 12noon.  Tomorrow we’re in for a much longer day - so it’s nice to get off the feet early today.  

Our Refugio tonight has a great location on a lake. Tons of people were laying by the water all afternoon - it’s a really popular spot for day hikers as well.  The Refugio itself reminds me of an old farmhouse.  It’s much older than any place we’ve stayed in to date - with very tiny rooms and bathrooms - with 1 shower that can barely fit an average size person.  

The day started with a 7am breakfast.  I’ve been eating yogurt with granola each morning - I spiced it up with a banana today.  I also had some turkey, cheese, and toast/jam.   We were on trail by 7:45am.  The first part of the day involved a 2,500’ descent over 3-4 miles.  We passed by Cinque Torri- a unique rock formation with a ton of history.  The morning walk included some road walking and then single-track through the woods.  The scenery early today was much different - as we were in the trees - which offered a much cooler start to the day. 

The afternoon involved a 1,300’ climb - in about 2-3 miles to our final destination.  The ascent had some really steep sections, but overall, it wasn’t too bad. Once we arrived at the Refugio - we got checked in to our room - and then grabbed some lunch/drinks.  We chatted with 2 local couples from Italy that were able to give us some great insight into our next few hiking days.  It’s always great to hear excitement from locals for what you’re doing.  They pumped us up for the days to come. 

After lunch - we chilled by the water and then walked a loop around the lake - maybe a 1/2 mile.  By this time it was about 3:30pm.  I grabbed a shower - which brings me up to date.  

Dinner tonight is at 7pm.  We’re planning to head down for some drinks about 6pm.  I’ll check in later.  

10pm - back in the room.  I talk a lot in this blog about scenery and hikes and places I visit - but, you want to know why I like traveling so much — it’s the experience I just had the past 4 hours - that’s why I like traveling so much!

So - Greg and I went to the outside patio around 5:30pm.   We were joined by a couple from New Zealand we had met a couple days ago.  We proceeded to chat/laugh over some drinks for 1-1/2 hours before dinner - exchanging stories/tales.  Then - we went into the dining room a little early (6:45pm) and chatted with a couple from the US (from Charlotte, NC).   They are big adventurers and have done many of the same trips as Greg and I.  They are actually staying in our dorm room   (When we just got back up to the room - they were sitting together on their bed looking through trip options to Patagonia - they said we inspired their next trip.)   After that interaction before dinner, we were joined at our dinner table by a couple from Belgium and their daughter who currently lives in Germany   We had such a good time talking - we were the last table in the dining area to leave.   So - in the span of 4 hours - we exchanged stories and inspirations with people from New Zealand, the USA, Belgium, and Germany.   I really love this. I learn so much from talking with others from around the world.  It’s inspiring, meaningful, educational, and motivating all at the same time.

I’m going to sleep tonight with my tank at full - full of gratitude and full of thankfulness to have the ability to travel - and meet others that inspire me to be a better person.  

Check out the band Layup - pull up the song:  “Who you share it with”.   Good night from the Dolomites!!