El Perro Negro

Friday is watering day for us here in the campo. Great to see the olive and lemon trees being nourished in the morning sun. Our young avocados and apples need it every couple of days. Rewarding.

Must say, I'm really enjoying putting together short 3 minute videos of my hikes. Adding a new dimension to my day in the hills.

I'm certainly no expert, but In the old days it used to take loads of editing on powerful desktop computers to produce a video. Now it's done on a mobile phone in a few minutes. Just incredible.

Here's one I did yesterday

https://video.infosec.exchange/w/rLDKwZY4NgZq56EXocuti8

Short clip from today's hike. Crossing the Paso de las Guias in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains.

Sorry for the dramatic music. Couldn't help it 🤣

It's amazing what simple day to day things you just can't do when you cant use a thumb. Frustrating!😤

I wrote a blog about our travels through the Italian Dolomites.

It is quite a long and comprehensive read but the hope is it may help give information to others who are thinking of visiting the area.

https://elperronegro.com/posts/2024-08-03-alta-via2-trekking-dolomites/

15 min video - "Wanderings on and off the Alta Via 2 trek in the Dolomites"

One week of traditional hut to hut trekking and one completely different week "making it up as we went along". All the time making our way southwards through the Italian Dolomite mountains. In total we covered over 130km and with over 7000 metres of ascent.

All combined into 15 minutes!

https://video.infosec.exchange/w/9uYH9PwZzkY7R3kFZKCurM

Sorry been out of touch my fellow federation members. Had a bit of a rough week. Energy crashed after finishing my 12 day trek through the Italian Dolomites. At the same time a minute grass spike that had been lodged in my thumb for a month decided to become infected. Very painful and still unable to use my right hand. To cap it all the journey back home to Spain was long, drawn out and frustrating, thanks Ryanair! Slowly getting my mojo back though.

2/2 What a blast it has been. Apart from the dramatic scenery we have met some interesting people, stayed in incredible places & eaten great food. We are already thinking of coming back & using some refuges as a base for via ferrata.

Thanks to @khusky for being the ultimate hiking buddy.

Now for two days relaxation & sightseeing before our return to Spain.

Here's a, totally unrelated, short video of an adorable cat we encountered at a refuge coffee stop this morning.

1/2 Today we finished our trek through the Italian Dolomites and hiked out to the town of Fiera di Primiero.

First week on the Alta Via 2 and the second making our own way on deserted trails, over narrow passes and alpine pastures.

My watch tells me we have covered 130 kilometres with over 7000 metres of ascent/descent. No wonder the old legs are showing signs of accumulated fatigue.

Dolomites Alta Via 2 day 10

Local hike near Sagron today as heavy rain around. We did a 7km loop to the Val delle Moneghe. A marvellous viewpoint and a winter ice climbing playground. Then on up through the forest to the refuge of the same name.

Some great lighting early on through the forest sections as seen on the images below

After 10 days we finally had to put on our 20€ ponchos 🤣

Have to say though they worked fine. Backpack and ourselves remained dry and comfortable. Good job we were going downhill though as would be a sweat trap heading up. After an umbrella maybe the ultimate rain garment?

With @khusky

Dolomites Alta Via 2 day 9

Today we clocked over the 100km accumulated mark as we made our way to Passo Cereda.

A quick stop there and then it was on another 4km to a little gem of a hotel we found. Yes, no refuge for us tonight, a bit of a treat. Hotel Giasenei in the tiny hamlet of Sagron, situated on a raised alpine meadow surrounded by stunning peaks. Just glorious.

Here for two nights as bad weather coming in. Just local hike tomorrow.

One of the nice things about long distance trails like the one we are on at present is the people from all walks of life and countries that you meet along the way. The common denominator for all is the trail itself and it unites.

Each night we talk about the days adventures and discuss plans for the day to come. An eye is also kept out for them at the next refuge.They become trail mates and a certain camaraderie develops.

Here's a few images from yesterday

Wouldn't everybody love to live in a house like this?

Continuing our journey we headed SE from San Martino passing through mature forests & stunning alpine meadows. A few hours later we emerged at the Forcella Col dei Cistri & the magnificent peaks of the Val Canali appeared ahead. Our next challenge.

If the weather allows we head up the Val Canali valley tomorrow morning to do the "Ferrata de Canalone" just above the Rifugio Treviso.

Dolomites Alta Via 2 day 7

Italian Meteo had multiple alerts out over the next few days for rain and thunderstorms. We made the decision to take a lower variant of the AV2 that skirted the west side of Pale di San Martino massif.

This 11km trail led us down through beautiful alpine meadows & over rolling hills to Passo Rolle. There we caught local bus to the chic alpine resort of San Martino di Castrozza.

Tomorrow depends again on the weather.

Its a tough life in the mountains, especially on a long distance trek like the Italian Alta Via 2. But tonight I must be honest. We are staying at the lovely Hotel/Rifugio Capanna Passo Valles where we are indulging in such local luxuries as Aperol Spritz, Apfel Strudel and flavoured grappas.

Making the most of it as tomorrow we head back up to the more basic mountain refuges for 3 nights

Chucking it down at Passo Valles. Storms. Not a time to be playing about on iron cables and ladders! Staying here and hoping things clear up tomorrow

Dolomites Alta Via 2 day 6

Passo San Pellegrino to Passo Valles

Short rest day today so a lie in, leisurely breakfast & a 6km stroll to our overnight refuge. Just arrived at midday when the heavens opened & an incredible rain and hail storm erupted. What luck we had not been caught out.

Now tucking into "gnocchi con ricotta affumicata" (delicate potato dumplings with smoked cheese)

Photos from our approach walk to the Pale di San Martino range

All during the long afternoon descent from the pass at Forca Rossa these jagged mountains were in view. They are our next challenge to cross. Much more technical evidently. They look it!

5 days on the trot are beginning to tell. Thankfully as we are near the half way point we have built in 2 half days for the next section to the Rifugio Mulaz.

Looking forward to a short break to let the legs and lungs recover.