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Showing posts from 2007

Hiking the big one: The Resegone of Lecco

To unknowing eyes these veiled peaks could easily be construed as Mystery Mountain, but speaking just for myself, the Resegone at close range is, in a word, staggering . With perfect fall weather this past Saturday, we packed 'nduja sandwiches, a couple of granola bars and set out on trail #11 which leads through Valle della Gallavessa towards the Resegone. This particular path commences at the end of the road from the secluded village of Erve (559 meters) and zigzags upwards at a steady pace, reaching the southern foot of Resegone and Rifugio Monzesi in about 2-2½ hours (1173 meters). The peak, or la vetta , reaches a height of 1875 meters (6151 feet) — we'll gladly leave that 2 hour climb to the maniacs. The trail marker labels #11 as facile (easy). Easy my butt! For goats perhaps, as the difference between beginning and end amounts to 614 meters. That's 2014 feet fyi . A cardiovascular exercise on the way up, and a real workout for the calves on the return tr...

Hiking in Valsassina: Maddie the Alpine westie?

If you look closely in the background to the left of Maddie, you'll see a rock formation with what appears to be a hole in the center. This is the Porta di Prada , the door of Prada even if it doesn't have anything to do with the elite label in italian fashion. This beautiful work of nature and many a lofty view is what makes the trek to Rifugio Bietti (and others further on) a popular itinerary for outdoor enthusiasts like us. The panorama is absolutely breathtaking at the height of 1719+ meters (5586+ feet), and although those figures may seem daunting to the unmotivated, the easy trail is acceptable for all ages and begins from an altitude of around 4715 feet. If I had to name one excursion for anyone planning a hiking vacation in the northern lakes region, this one is it. At a mere 3-3½ hours roundtrip, it's a piece of cake. We completed this hike last Sunday after a month off due to Sicily & elsewhere and let me tell you, my body hurt like HECK the next m...