Benvenuti in Italia!
Today Anthony and I crossed the border into Italy. So far, there’s not much of a culture shock. In fact, my current view is of a very un Italian Apfelstrüdel. This is because we’re in the autonomous region of Süd…
Misty Mountain Hob
So I’ve done the unthinkable yesterday. Instead of hiking the 2400 meters up to the Glüngezer Hütte I took the chairlift, cutting the hike short to only 600 meters of ascent. Please let me explain: I woke up feeling nauseous…
To the Inn valley
It’s been 5 days since my last post but it might well be 5 years. Instead of limping towards the Alps Anthony and I are now limping in the Alps. So far we’ve limped our way along the Benediktenwand, back…
Sufferfest
Despite the guidebook insisting today and yesterday were ‘easy’, pain is the name of the game right now. A stabbing pain in my blistered right little toe, and a soul consuming pain over the entire length of my footsoles. The…
Asleep on the train
As I’m writing this I’m sitting in the train toward Munich nursing a medium sized hangover due to sleep deprivation and enthusiast cocktail consumption yesterday… Oh well, it’s not as if I need to do anything useful today except for…
Stage 15: To Conca
Ascent: 250 Descent: 1050 Time: 5hr The last stage is one of the highlights of the GR20. As you descend the terrain remains rugged and interesting as you exchange pine forrest for a desert like landscape. There are several short,…
Stage 14: To Refuge d’ I Paliri
Ascent: 450 Descent: 950 Time: 6hr 30min Again, there are two ways to get to Refuge d’ I Paliri. The official GR20 is a low level hike around the Aiguilles de Bavella, the high level alternative is highly recommended and…
Stage 13: To Refuge d’Asinau
Ascent: 1000 meter Descent: 1250 meter Time: 7hr There are two variants of this stage. The old GR20 crosses the high plains of Plateau du Cuscione and continues straight towards Refuge d’Asinau. The new GR20 is split into two stages.…
Stage 12: To Refuge d’Usciolu
Ascent: 1300 Descent: 850 Time: 7hr 30min This is a long stage with various ascents and some scrambling. Even though you start in the forrest the treecover soon disappears and after that most of the hike is on an exposed…
Stage 11: To Bocca di Verdi
Ascent: 300 meter Descent: 600 meter Time: 4hr There are two ways to Bocca di Verdi. The high level variant via the summit of the solitary Monte Renoso and the low-level main GR20. The high level variant is strenuous hike…