|
Monte Rosa - alpine wilderness and solitariness
EASY TOUR
MR1) Monte Rosa panorama tour
1 day
July-October
This is one of the most spectacular trips below the highest wall of the alps. The second-highest peak of Europe, Monte Rosa, raises from 1300 meters up to 4600 meters within only a few kilometers of horizontal distance. In addition, this incredible wall produces the fastest moving glacier of the alps, which also is the only growing one of central Europe.
We start our hike on easy forest pathes, which lead us to the enormous torrent draining the glacier. There our first and only considerable ascent starts. After some steep steps through a little wall, we can enjoy a fantastic view overlooking the glacier and the surrounding forest.
Our first break will be at a cozy little hut with one of the most spectacular views of the alps! Check out the picture gallery!
After that we will cross impressive landscapes and reach without a remarkable difference in altitude the glacier itself. But thatīs not all! Now we have to cross the icefield! But donīt worry, the ice is completely covered with stones, sand an scree and the path is well-marked and safe.
In summertime we do have the chance to stop off at a mountain restaurant (not included in the price) in the middle of the two parts of the glacier. Then we have to cross the second icy part until we can go on to a large mountain hut. Here we can have a break with some food supply, too.
We walk on following a track on the other site of the glacier with a great panorama on the enormous wall of Monte Rosa.
The last part of this fascinating day in the mountains leads us through a dark coniferous forest - in autumn a paradise for mushrooms!
Start at Macugnaga.
picture gallery
MODERATELY DIFFICULT TOUR
MR2) Cingino - a hike through tunnels
2 days
July-October
Hike through one of the most impressive alpine sceneries: enormous waterfalls, dark and calm tarns, torrents, larch forests (donīt miss the golden trees in october!) and lunar landscapes above the timberline.
On the first part we pass two large artificial lakes shimmering in turquoise, blue and green. An old railway track allows to cross the steep slope between the dam wall and the end of the upper lake. We walk through a great scenery with thin forests and bizarre rock formations.
Then a long valley follows, and we hike for several kilometers along a wild stream. At the end of this valley we have to ascend about 600 meters to reach our destination of this day, a recently built, small hut.
Although the shelter is in good conditions, a stove is missing, so do not forgot your warm clothings!
On the next day the real adventure begins. We cross over the dam of an artificial tarn and enter a tunnel over two kilometers in length. So do not forget your minerīs lamp, too! But donīt worry, the hole is illuminated! (But very narrow, too: for the most part not wider than half a meter!)
After we have passed this crazy part of our hike we walk on a covered water pipe to the next artificial lake. From there on, we descend back to our starting point. Again we can enjoy great views overlooking the valley with its lakes and waterfalls.
Start at Antronalago.
picture gallery
DIFFICULT TOUR
MR3) Fire and ice
4 days
July-September
This is the most exciting and varied tour you can imagine! It will demand a lot, but it will be worth it! Old pastures, dark tarns, high peaks with incredible panoramas and cozy mountain huts. Really an once in a lifetime experience!
Our first day brings us from an historic village, protected by the European Union, on well maintained but steep tracks to a nice pasture, approximately at a height of 2000 meters. Today the buildings are used as vacation apartments of the local residents.
After this steep ascent the rest of the day will be an easy walk without remarkable differences in altitude. At the end of a long slope we reach Cortenero, the oldest pasture of the Alps which is not dilapidated. Also this construction is under the protection of the European Union.
One of the renovated buildings is our shelter for the night, a small and very cozy hut.
On the second day we ascend without any track to a pass without a name - pure solitariness! There the landscape opens to a plateau with many little tarns and torrents. We cross through a fascinating alpine scenery and reach the next hut - cute and even nicer than the last one!
We deposit our stuff and therefore win without extraordinary efforts one of the most outstanding peaks of the region. Pizzo San Martino offers views overlooking the whole Ossola valley, Val Grande national park, the icy giants of Valais and much more!
After our return to the hut we can enjoy a great evening, either in front of the building at the table made of stone or inside infront of the warm stove.
The night we have to use to relax ourselves because the third day will be the most exhausting one. We ascend to the ridge of San Martino and cross a very steep slope - absolutely not for people suffering from vertigo!
After this passage we will have reached the large valley of Antrona. Without a track (but with me as your guide...) we pass enormous alpine meadows with solitary larches, lumps of rocks and roaring (sometimes also murmuring) torrents. Absolutely great!
We keep the altitude and cross nearly whole the valley until we reach a covered water pipe. This construction leads us to a large artificial lake, where we will find the next shelter. Now we have to decide: stay at the hut and relax (then our trip will take five days) or go on to the next bivouac (to make it within four days).
Howsoever we will continue to the Swiss border, where we have the chance to spot some ibexes. Then we break through the 3000 meter line. No more vegetation, no more life - only rocks and scree... a fascinating lunar landscape!
After a while we go back to Italy and reach on the next pass the next shelter. Like a box this little hut is situated exactly on the border - you may imagine the panoramas...
On our last day, also not very relaxing, we walk into Switzerland to enjoy the completely different scenery. Vast valleys, large rivers and enormous meadows with the typical cows set the tone for the next few hours.
Soon we will leave the track and hike through meadows and scree - under the surveillance of marmots, eagles, ibexes and so on!
After this surreal trip we reach the Italy again - and start our final descent back to our starting point.
Start at Mondelli.
picture gallery
|
