More Dolomites fun

Published on 2008-7-9 by Michael Stanton

Friends: Theron, Carlos
Location: Monte Colàc, Passo Zebru
Elevation gain: 0m = 0m

Monte Colàc - "Via Ferrata Dei Finanzieri"

A bit south of Canazei, we picked out a via ferrata that would be fun to do. We took a lift up to the Rifugio Tobia dei Giagher, and walked up the short valley to the Sella Brunech (2428 m). We then traversed a beautiful grassy ridge to the normal way up the peak. It's funny that we went down the via ferrata.

I remember huffing and puffing our way to the summit, then having fun on the via ferrata on the way down. The view of the Marmolada were really amazing.

Hiking around the Sas de Porcel (2490 m)

Wonderful scenery on the ridge

I think this is Monte Colàc

Michael somewhere on the via ferrata

Looking east from Monte Colàc to the Marmolada

A close up of the same

On the summit. I'm entertaining Carlos with an "air guitar" impression

On the way down the "Finanzieri"

Going down the ridge

Carlos having a good time

Theron in the ladders

Lago di Fedaia to Passo Pordoi

On another occasion we parked at the beautiful Lago di Fedaia, then set out to hike to the Passo Pordoi and spend the night. Here I played the tour guide, and from the pass looking down to the Passo Pordoi, I turned back and jogged to the car. Carlos and Theron endured a huge rainstorm, and I drove over to meet them, later hearing about the many exciting things that happened. This was great fun.

Theron with the Marmolada behind him

The Rifugio Viel Dal Pan on the beautiful hike, with bad weather approaching

Gorgeous and scary chasms on the Marmolada

Val Zebru and Val Cedec over two days

Because of bad weather in the Dolomites, I urged us to head west and do a multiday hike. Now I can apologize -- in those days I lived with a stressed-out sense that a day wasted was like the loss of a million dollars! My friends would have been happy to hang out in a Dolomiti village, hike a little bit, and just hang out. I am sorry I denied them this! We piled into my car and took off. We must have started the hike in Sant Antonio, moving up into Val Zebru. We stopped once or twice at little stands for cappucino and cake. It must have been a pretty long day, because Val Zebru is pretty long!

The views in the upper reaches of the valley were expansive and amazing, dominated by the Königspitze. We took many pictures. We found lots of barbed wire and "war ruins." We did a lot of bouldering too. Hiking down from Passo Zebru (3000 m), we passed the Rifugio Pizzini Frattola, then spent the night nestled in the main valley bottom at the Rifugio Ghiacciao der Forni.

The next morning we hiked up a peak to the south. I don't remember the name, but there were enormous views and many waterfalls. It was a good trip within a trip! Though there was a lot of driving to get over there and back into the Dolomites for our next climb. But it was a good one!

I think this is somewhere in Val Zebru