With just a few days before Ben and Dylan arrived in the Dolomites to go climbing, I thought I’d slow down and spend a peaceful night in a bivuacco – basically an Italian bothy. I had a very peaceful night in a lonely and quiet part of the Brenta – a real treat! Nothing eventful happened – hence there isn’t really much to write about, but I thought I’d add some photos here.
The nature of travel in the Northern Brenta – the path goes straight through here, and yet it’s nearly invisible. Soon – I began to break out above the trees and saw the huge climb I had to comeI heard rocks tumbling down from the cliff opposite me – a small Ibex is working its way along the ledge systems. You can just about make it out in the image if you look carefully!The heat made the climb feel exhausting – I was out of water and relieved to see the small bivouac hut in the distance. This would be a fine place to rest and relax for a night. After dinner – greeted by a stunning view across the Alps. The Ortles Cevedale group, and even the Bernina behind. What a spot to spend a night!A beautiful flowerIs there a better place to sit and stop for a while, listening to the Serenading MarmotsOne of the Marmots in question – if only I had a zoom lense! This wee chap was just 15m away from me for hours, I was nervous to make a noise for fear of scaring him off!I looked straight up to see a massive bird – I think a Golden Eagle soaring aboveOne of the most special things about the Dolomites is the way they glow. Rather than light simply shining upon them, they appear to glow, as if their very hearts are set alight with sadness at the end of the day, or joy at the start of a new one.I haven’t mastered the self-potrait yet, but this captures the mood I was in. Mountain bliss!
Oscar Outdoors 