Alta Via Stage 3.

Tuesday 22nd August 2023

Rifugio Lavarella to Rifugio Lagazuoi

Base map courtesy of Tobacco maps

Elevation diagram courtesy of Garmin

Another sunny day!

Enjoying the sun before we set off

People leaving early

L to R: Dinah, Sandor, Mick, Kerri, Ken and Maura

And the selfie.... L to R: Dinah, Sandor, Anna, Mick, Kerri, Maura and Ken

Looking back towards Lavarella. This basin is sometimes called "The Parliament"

Looking back

1915-1918 memorial

Approaching Ucia de Gran Fanes 2,105m

Domestic Edelweiss

The trail ahead

Ken soaking up the sun!

Until rudely awakened by the paparazzi!

We were soon to leave route 11 to climb to the cleft in the rock, Forcella del Lago

Mick surveying the path ahead

Edelweiss

The climb up to Forcella del Lago

At the col Forcella del Lago. Two things immediately hit you at this point (a) the zig-zag path
that drops down to the lake and (b) the mammoth climb that stretches out
as far as the eye can see to Rifugio Lagazuoi. You wonder whether you will be able to do either!

Kerri starts the descent

"Stone Man" rock off to the right

At this point it hits you; not only have you got to get down to the lake
safely, but just look at the climb the other side to Rifugio Lagazuoi.
Definitely not for the faint hearted.

Ken and Maura taking it in their stride and enjoying it!

At this point I thought I was doing fairly well for a near-seventy-seven year old,
but then we met Dieter (Center - 88 year's old) coming up!

Dieter was being guided by his ski instructor Suzannah!

Looking back as we climb towards Rifugio Lagazuoi

On the way up to the ridge line and Rifugio Lagazuoi

A good view of Tofana de Rozes

Time for another selfie. Check it out!

Reaching the col (Forcella Lagazuoi) for the last push up to Rifugio Lagazuoi. A good view of Tofana in the background.

The zig-zags make the climb a bit easier

Well done Mick? No, well done Anna for pacing me up the hill!

Made it!

Rifugio Lagazuoi terrace with fantastic views

Fresh supply of drinks being brought up by helicopter.

Ready for the evening meal

My choice for dinner..... pork knuckle

The mountains glow in the setting sun

Mick glowing in the setting sun. It had been a hard day!

The sauna. Only Kerri was brave enough to try.

The building on the right is the Lagazuoi Cable Car

Cable car station and Rifugio Lagazuoi

And time for bed! Although there were 12 beds in the room it was a comfortable night, and
the showers (3 euro token) were good too.