The Via Ferrata in Europe have been calling our name for about 4 years. We finally acquiesced. This would be our first trip back to Europe since the X-Alps, and it was really nice to think about taking a stress-free vacation over there. A few days in Rome got us our fill of ruins, churches, artwork, and city life, then it was off to the Dolomites to meet our friends Adrian and Andy from the UK.
After a pleasant stay in a B&B near a paragliding launch above the town of Fiera di Premiero (not tempted, really), we ignored the weather for the moment and set off on our first route. The path went off up a really steep forested track, it was hot and humid, and I have to admit I actually sweated. A lot. Finally getting up to the rock and the climbing route was a relief. The Via Ferrata route was pleasant, newly renovated with new clamps and wires, and led up to a nice little shoulder of high meadow.
Wondering what I'm talking about? Here's a guide to Via Ferrata
https://www.guidedolomiti.com/en/dolomites-via-ferrata/
Translate this page from Italian for the info on Via Ferreta Dino Buzzati
https://www.vieferrate.it/pag-relazioni/relazioni-regione-veneto/59-pale-san-martino/45-buzzati.html
The first clap of lighting hit about then. Uh-oh. Our hike over the next mile of trail got quicker, and the sky grew increasingly darker. I was desperately hungry (as usual), and as the descent of the via ferrata found me hanging on the wires with one hand and downing a sandwich with the other, unwilling to stop for even a few moments to eat. Part way down what was a quite easy descent with cables, the rain drops started. We were treated to a display of thunder and lightening that would have been really amazing had we not been all hanging on to metal cables while clinging to a mountainside!It really was amazing although we couldn't stop to admire it. Getting soaked now, we could see the zigzag scars of our trail far below us. The rain continued nonstop, and the rain added to our sweat to make us completely drenched. We probably should have stopped to put on a warmer layer and our waterproof trousers, but couldn't be bothered. The trail became part stream, part waterfall, part scree slope, and it was a relief to get down to the valley floor. From there it was a few more miles on a gentle forest track back to the car.
By the time we arrived we were quite chilled to say the least. The was the most walking in the rain Jim had ever done! For my part, it reminded me of a few epic races in England, which gave me a little nostalgia and also a little relief that I didn't do such things as often anymore! It was quite a change from the 50k I did in Corner Canyon near the house in Utah last weekend. It was almost 90 degrees when I finished, I couldn't get cool even dunking my head at every tiny little stream crossing, and I came straight home afterward to sit in an ice bath!
Drying out our soaking clothes took some effort, but the next day we were ready to go again. With rain still threatening we choose a shorter sport route, which of course meant that it really didn't rain at all, all day long! We consoled ourselves with beer and hot chocolate at the conveniently located refuge at the foot of the Ferrata, then went and did it again!
Via Ferrata Canolone
https://www.vieferrate.it/pag-relazioni/relazioni-regione-veneto/59-pale-san-martino/52-canalone.html
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| Looking down at Fiera de Premiero from our B& |
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| Andy gets dried off after a long day on the mountain |
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| The first clap of thunder rolls in |
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| There's a refugio up there somewhere but thankfully we are headed down, not up |
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| The sport route Via Ferrata Canolone |
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