Our choice today was a group walk led by Charlie and Seb. The morning was a little cooler and with the forecast of possible rain in the afternoon so we ensured that we carried our wet-weather gear and more layers for if (when) the weather turned cooler.
We started with the obligatory bus ride, this time to Badia, followed by two open chair lifts, the second finishing at Refugio La Crusc Hütte at 2045m. This really tested us for as we went higher, the weather became much cooler and we needed most of the warm gear we packed!
As with all the walks, this one involved some steady uphill before we started to descend. Again, it was quite different to our previous walks as we firstly traversed a wooded area - no meadows to be seen - surrounded by the huge dolomite cliffs.
We started with the obligatory bus ride, this time to Badia, followed by two open chair lifts, the second finishing at Refugio La Crusc Hütte at 2045m. This really tested us for as we went higher, the weather became much cooler and we needed most of the warm gear we packed!
As with all the walks, this one involved some steady uphill before we started to descend. Again, it was quite different to our previous walks as we firstly traversed a wooded area - no meadows to be seen - surrounded by the huge dolomite cliffs.
We were fortunate to see, high on the cliff face, a couple of chamois moving about and were advised by the guide that one of the other local wildlife species - marmots, which we had heard by not seen - hibernated during the winter, emerging once only to pee and then return to their hole until spring!
Our group consisted of people from a wide range of backgrounds, some of whom were staying at our pensione and others that were staying at one of the other Colette's accommodation places in the Badia valley.
Today's walk enabled us to see first-hand the massive rockfalls and washouts that we have viewed from afar along the cliffs. The huge rocks and boulders must slide down the mountains at incredible speed - taking everything in their way. It provided for some tricky walking and a bit of scrambling to negotiate.
After leaving the rocky areas, we again crossed meadows, passing many of the shrines that the local people erect along the paths or outside their houses - some more ornate than others.
After quite a period of uphill walking, we arrived at the lunch stop - Refugio Ranch da Andre just as it was starting to rain. A bowl of hot soup was in order and really hit the spot as we wrapped ourselves in the rugs provided and contemplated the drizzle.
Fortunately it was only a short walk from lunch back down to Badia. A final highlight was a visit to the parish church, dating back to the 14th Century.
A wait in the damp for the bus and then a climb back to the pensione for a warm shower and Office Hour.
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