The Dolomites and Venice.

We spent the last two weeks of July in the Dolomites and then had 3 nights in the amazing city of Venice. The following is a photo diary of the trip.

Saturday 18 July - Travelled from Cumbria to Corvara in the Dolomites via Manchester and Venice. The journey took about 14 hours but we knew it had been worthwhile when we arrived at Chalet Alpi our 'home' for the next two weeks. The view from the balcony of Sassongher was incredible.

Sassongher from the Chalet Alpi.

Sunday 19 July - We completed an introductory horseshoe walk to Passo Gardena at the head of the valley to the west of town. After the poor summer weather in Cumbria it was brilliant to walk in sunshine and warmth. The views of the surrounding peaks made us keen to explore the area thoroughly over the next two weeks.

Taking a break on route to Passo Gardena.

Superb mountain paths and scenery on route to the pass.

At the top of the pass looking west towards Sassolungo.

Heading back to Corvara with the Sella massif as a backdrop.

The church in Colfosco above Corvara.

Monday 20 July - A warm and sunny day so we chose to climb our first Dolomite peak - Sas Ciampac(2672m). We climbed it from Corvara via the Forcella de Ciampei and then descended to the Jimmy Hut via to more cols the Forcella de Crespeina and the Forcella de Cier Danter les Pizes. The mountain scenery was stunning throughout. After a Schiwasser and Kaiserschmarm we took advantage of a cable car to drop down to the valley and then walked back to the apartment.

Sas Ciampac from the church in Corvara.

Starting the climb up route 4 on a superb morning.

Approaching the col at Forc. de Ciampei.

The route was well signposted - Scotland it is not!!!

Stunning mountain landscape to the north.

On the first summit of the trip.

Looking towards the Sella massif at the start of the descent.

Lunch time at Forc. de Crespeina.

Amazing rock pinnacles on route to the Jimmy Hut.

Tuesday 21 July - As we'd been looking at it since our arrival we wanted to climb Sassongher (2665m) but when we woke it was cloud covered. The route involves some protected scrambling so we weren't sure whether to head off. However, when the summit emerged from the cloud we went for it. Although the cloud didn't completely clear it was a fantastic day in the mountains. The climb wasn't too difficult and the descent route we chose to Verda gave brilliant views.

Sassongher appearing from the clouds - time to head out.

Climbing up to the col below the summit ridge.

The view north east from the col - our descent took us below the cliffs on the left.

Climbing the ridge above the col.

Susan approaching the summit.

Summit shots - we had it to ourselves.

Looking south towards Piz Boe and the Sella massif.

On the well marked route back to the col as cloud rolls in over the summit.

The first stage of the descent followed an amazing balcony path.

Approaching the Gherdenacia Hut above Verda.

Our hut favorites - Schiwasser and Kaiserschmarm.

Wednesday 22 July - After two longish mountain days we had a wee lie in and the headed out to climb a wee peak - Stores (2181m) - near the Pralongia Hut. This lies to the east of Corvara and gave much easier walking. We had an excellent pasta lunch at L Tabla as thunder rang out from the higher ranges to the west.

'I climbed that yesterday' - looking to Sassongher.

Sassongher above Corvara.

A framed Sassongher.

On the summit of Stores - looking to Setsas ('I want to climb that').

Descending after lunch - thunder was ringing out from the mountains in the background.

Thursday 23 July - A clear and sunny day so we chose to take a bus to the Passo Falzorego to climb up to the Refuge Lagazuoi through the World War I tunnels carved into the mountain. In places 'windows' in the tunnels gave great views of the surrounding mountains. A different but excellent day on the hill.

Susan kitted out to climb up through the tunnels.

The view from one of the 'windows'.

Not a place to step back for a photo.

The views from to top were stunning.

The descent also gave excellent views.

Looking towards Cinque Torri and Averau.

Friday 24 July - A cloudier day with some rain on the descent. We caught a bus to La Villa then climbed up to the Refuge Gardenacia where we had a refreshing Schiwasser before pressing on to Refuge Puez for lunch. The route took us up a dry limestone valley and over limestone pavement reminding me of the Yorkshire Dales. From the Puez we crossed the col at Forcella Ciampai before descending in rain to Corvara.

Waiting for the bus in Corvara.

Starting the climb to Ref. Gardenacia.

A quiet time to arrive for a Schiwasser.

More climbing up to the dry valley.

In the dry limestone valley.

Despite the cloud there were more stunning mountain views.

Arriving at the Ref. Puez.

An excellent Apple Strudel at the hut.

More great views on the descent before the rain set in.

The view towards Sas Ciampac which we'd climbed early in the week.

Saturday 25 July - The forecast was for rain but it turned out to be a great day in the mountains. We caught the bus to the Falzarego Pass and then walked to the Valparola Pass to climb Setsas (2423m). The route was very varied and the summit gave great views despite some cloud. We walked back to Corvara via Stores (2181m) and Pralongia.

A wee church on the Falzarego Pass.

Looking towards Setsas from the Valparola pass.

On route to the start of the summit ridge.

On the ridge looking north west towards Sassongher.

On the rocky section of the summit ridge.

Another Dolomite summit - we entered our names in the summit book.

Three photos from the descent.

Looking back to Setsas from near Stores.

Starting the descent back to Corvara.

Sunday 26 July - Heavy overnight rain led to clearing skies as we got up. We wanted an easier day so caught the 9.47am bus to Padraces. From here we walked steeply up to the Santa Croce Sanctuary where we had a Schiwasser and Kaiserschmarm before walking to La Villa where we caught a bus back to Corvara. An easy but enjoyable wander.

The church in Padraces.

On route to the Santa Croce Sanctuary.

The Santa Croce Sanctuary.

Photos from the walk down to La Villa.

Monday 27 July - A cloudy start to the day but it was hot and sunny by lunch. We caught the first bus up to Passo Gardena to try and beat the expected crowds on the climb up Gran Cir (2592m) via a Via Ferrata. The ascent wasn't too difficult or busy but the descent was slow due to increasing numbers of people some of whom were not very confident. We had lunch at the Jimmy Hut (our 3rd visit) then walked back to Corvara. Another excellent mountain day.

Susan in the approach gully.

Photos from one of the protected sections - we timed it right to avoid the crowds.

Great rock scenery on the ascent path.

High above the Passo Gardena.

On the summit.

Photos of Susan 'romping' down to lunch in the Jimmy Hut.

Looking down the valley towards Corvara.

The Gran Cir above Susan.

Some of the many cyclists on the Passo Gardena road - part of the Sella Ronda.

On the walk back to Corvara.

Cycling is very popular and promoted in the Corvara area - it does not look easy!!!

Tuesday 28 July - A cloudy start to the day but we visited the bakery to buy some rolls for lunch and then caught the first cable car to Lago Boe. The plan was to climb Piz Boe (3152m) the highest peak in the Sella Massif. We were initially walking in cloud but this soon cleared to give another stunning mountain day. The route was technically easy except for a very loose gully protected by a fixed rope. The main danger was from rocks dislodged by other people so we moved as quickly as possible and didn't linger long on the summit to try and avoid the crowds on the descent. The scenery was stunning throughout the day.

The last of the early clouds lifted as we approached to Kostner Hut.

Some amazing crags!!!!

As always the route was easy to follow.

Traversing on the Sella terrace.

'Which way now?' - at the base of the chossy gully.

At our high point of the trip - Piz Boe summit.

Susan 'romping' down to avoid the crowds - the summit above.

Amazing mountain views on the descent.

The view east from the Cable Car station.

Wednesday 29 July - We woke to rain and it continued on and off all day. We stayed in the valley and had an afternoon stroll to Colfosco to visit the wee church.

Above Corvara.

Colfosco Church.

Thursday 30 July - We woke to a cloudy sky but the forecast was good so we headed back up to the Falzarego Pass. The aim was to visit the towers at Cinque Torri and climb Nuvolau (2575m). This was an excellent route and included passing more World War I defences.

Passo Falzarego Refuge.

A restored World War I trench at Cinque Torri.

The Cinque Torri towers - popular with climbers.

Another section of the restored War defences.

The largest of the 5 towers.

The Cinque Torri towers from the other side.

The summit of Nuvolau (2575m).

Photos from the descent to Falzarego.

Enjoying another excellent day on the hill - Setsas in the left background.

Friday 31 July - Our final mountain day dawned cloudy but again the forecast was good. We chose to do a circuit to revisit the Puez Hut and made life easier by taking a bus to Colfosco and a cable car to Col Pradat. As we climbed back up to the col below Sassongher the early cloud began to break and gave us some fantastic views. The route from the col to the hut was empty and was outstanding.
We both had our favourite Schiwasser and Kaiserschmarm at the Puez and then walked back to the cable car station for our final descent.

The cloud begins to clear on the climb up to Forcela de Sassongher.

The Sella Massif came into view.

Amazing views opened up as we climbed and the cloud cleared.

A stunning last day in the mountains!!!!!!!

The view north east from the col.

Looking back to Sassongher - we climbed it from the right hand col earlier in the trip.

More stunning views as clouds swirl around the peaks.

The route to the Puez Hut was empty and the scenery amazing.

Approaching the hut.

Photos from our final descent into Corvara.

Saturday 1 August - We were up early to catch the 'shuttle' bus to Venice Airport where we caught the Vaporetto water bus into the amazing city. We were staying in the Panada Hotel in the San Marco area and it was an excellent base from which to explore the city on foot.

Waiting in Corvara for the 'shuttle' bus.

The Vaporetto - the best 'airport run' we've ever had.

The San Marco district of Venice.

Gondolas everywhere!!!

Sunday 2 to Tuesday 4 August - We spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday morning exploring as much of the city as we could. It was very hot and we got lost many times in the maze of tiny streets but we thoroughly enjoyed it and would have liked to stay longer. Unfortunately we had to take the Vaporetto back to the airport at Tuesday lunch time. We landed in Manchester under a cloudy sky and by the time we reached Cumbria it was raining - typical.

Piazza San Marco and the 99m high Campanile tower.