Dolomites 2005 A personal diary ....

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Day 4: Saturday 3 September

Rifugio Alpe di Tires to Rifugio Passo Sella

It again rained at some point overnight but it was a clear day when we got up.  We had a good selection for breakfast, and duly replenished, we set off around 8.45 am.  We started by heading down the steep track that 6 of us had climbed the day before.

We then headed along route 4 .. 594.  We walked through a field of palomino ponies and then another with a herd of cows.  The path was good and before long, we arrived at the Rifugio Sasso Piatto.  We stopped there for a coffee .. unlike a group of Germans who seemed to be trying to drink the place dry before lunch.  7 of us planned to climb Sasso Piatto, so we left the rucksacks at the Rifugio under the care of Iris, Jim and Diane, and headed up the path.

It was a bit of a slog going uphill but we all eventually arrived at the summit.  We were rewarded with great views when the mist swirled away.  There were a number of choughs and Ian even got one to feed from his hand.  The summit was very busy as there were a good number of people coming up the via ferrata route from the other side.

We took our turn on this busy summit to get our photos (choughs on each arm of the cross!).  I noticed that one climber even clipped his karibiner on to the summit cross when he got there!  We then headed back down to the Rifugio.  All told we took 2½ hours to do the climb and back.

As we arrived back, Diane got everyone a drink.  We ordered up another drink and some lunch.  We could have quite easily spent more time relaxing there, but eventually we roused ourselves to head along the Friedrich August Weg.

It was an easy path to walk along and there were several rifugi on the way.  We stopped at the Rifugio Friedrich August, where there was a sculpture of the man himself.  There were also a number of inquisitive goats on the prowl.

Most of the group stopped for a beer, but Gordon headed off to the Rifugio Passo Sella to find out if they had a TV so that he could watch the Scotland v Italy match.  The rest soon followed on and when we arrived, Gordon had already got the room details.  We got booked into 2 rooms for 2 and 1 for 6.

We were pleasantly surprised with the room for 6, as it was 6 single beds and not bunks and plenty of room.  Also, in the corridor there were clothes lines to hang any washing to dry.  There was however only 1 shower and you had to get the key from  the elderly signora. (almost having to sign in blood for it!)  However some made do with a wash at the sink in the room, and then did some laundry and made use of the clothes lines.

We all eventually headed down to the bar, where the football was on the TV.  The meal was at 7.30  (half time!)  All except Gordon headed in to the dining room.  The food was very good and the house wine excellent, and the waiter obligingly took Gordon’s meals into the bar. The match ended up 1-1 so everyone was pleased.

After an excellent meal, we all headed back into the bar.  Most headed for bed around 10.00, after some plans for the following day were made.

Bob MacDonald