Global Adventure - Trek Hut to Hut on the Alta Via 1 in Italy's Dolomites

Arrive no later than the afternoon of Tuesday Sept y, 2021 in Venice, Italy and transfer to our hotel for two nights.  Then we’ll transfer on a private shuttle to the northern end of the Alta Via 1 at lovely Lago Di Braies, and trek until Friday Sept 17 when we will transfer back to a hotel near the Venice airport for one more night.  On Saturday Sept 18 participants can depart on flights home, or proceed on their own to other explorations in the area!

NOTE:  AT this time, US citizens must present proof of vaccination or prior covid infection to enter Italy, and a Covid test is required to re-enter the US.  Rapid Antigen Tests (accepted at the border) can be taken at the Venice airport with results available within a half hour.

Itinerary Highlights: 

Italy's Dolomites or "Pale Mounts" are unique among mountains in the Alps for their soaring pinnacles of calcium carbonate rich rock (or "dolomite").   The Dolomites are actually comprised of several self-contained formations that rise high in rock spires and sculpted pinnacles that shine bright in the sun and glow orange-pink at sunset.  Italy's Alta Via 1[1] passes through several of these unique formations including the Fanes, Lagazuoi, Cortina, Pelmo, Civetta, Moiazza and Dolomiti Bellunesi, providing great variety.  It's no wonder that this trip is one of the most popular routes in the Dolomites and in all of Europe.

Our Alta Via 1 adventure will begin in historic Venice, a glorious, atmospheric city built on several islands with canals passing among marble palazzas and villas and containing churches and buildings of great historic and cultural importance.  We’ll spend our arrival night and then tour the highlights of the city on the next day, with a group welcome dinner at a local restaurant.   Then the next morning we’ll take a private shuttle to Lago Di Braies  in the north[2] and will walk over the next 9 days to La Pissa in the south, approx 75 miles.  The highest point is 2752m or approx 9020 feet.  Our total daily elevation gain will range from 1800 to 4300 feet and distances from 4 to 12 miles.   We will spend the night in remote mountain huts with half board and dorm-style co-ed bunk and matsenlager rooms (sleeping platforms with mattresses side by side), with bedding provided so we only need to carry a daypack with a sleep sack, clothing, water, lunch/snacks and our Ten Essentials for emergencies.  We will be able to leave luggage at our hotel in Venice and come back to it at the end of our trek.

NOTE:  As with any extended travel, but particularly in an area with unpredictable mountain weather and changeable trail conditions, our itinerary can change without notice and sections may be modified or dropped.  The priority will always be on safety for all participants. 

[1] Trekking in the Dolomites, 4^th Edition (2016), by Gillian Price. (Cicerone Guides)

[2] The typical Alta Via 1 begins at Lago di Braies but we will start at a slightly different location with much easier and quicker access.

Time of Year: 

We’ll be visiting during early September, when days are usually clear and the crowds are reduced.  The average daytime temperature hovers around 20°C /  68°F (though weather on the high passes and huts can be considerably colder!) There is a chance of early snow flurries but generally they don’t stick.  Still, we’ll bring trekking poles for stability and microspikes based on the specific snow levels as the date gets closer. 

Lodging: 

Three nights in comfortable 3-star hotels in Venice convenient to the local sights and/or the airport, and 8 nights in mountain huts with limited amenities.  Expect hut nights to be in dormitory style co-ed bunk rooms of up to 10 people (limited to our group).

Food: 

Hearty breakfasts and dinners are included on all of our trail days.  Participants will have the option to purchase sack lunches for the trail at some of our huts, though we may also stop at trailside cafes and huts for a meal or cappuccino and snack where available.  Lunches and drinks are not included in the trip price.

Leader’s Experience: 

Cheryl Talbert has led many Mountaineers hikes and nearly 30 Mountaineers and private backpacks, treks and cultural trips around the U.S. west and worldwide, including a private group trekking trip on the Tour de Mont Blanc high route in 2016 and a Mountaineers hut trek on the Tour of the Jungfrau in 2018.  (cascadehiker12@gmail.com)

Participant Requirements: 

Must be a current Mountaineers member with an up-to-date waiver on file. Participants must be fully vaccinated.  This outing includes strenuous hiking on rugged terrain (including some steep moraine and scree slopes) for multiple successive days, so participants need to be in excellent aerobic condition with good balance and confidence traveling on rough, sometimes exposed trail with a pack, and with the experience and willingness to deal with some discomfort, cold and inclement weather for extended periods.  Occasional snowfield crossings may be involved, requiring microspikes and trekking poles.  Recent experience with multi-day strenuous backpacking or mountain trekking, plus a positive attitude and a demonstrated ability to get along well with groups under demanding conditions, will be very important.   NOTE:  As a Mountaineers group we will operate as interdependent, capable travelers making our way together and helping one another succeed and be safe.  You are responsible for your own safety and that of your fellow travelers.  You must have the ability to navigate on trails with a map and compass.  See daily trip profile, attached.

Trip Price Detail:   

 $2400 including all lodging in Venice and at the huts, ground transportation, and half-board (breakfast and dinner) along the trek.  Your airfare (~$900), transfer from airport to Venice hotel and back, travel insurance ($75-350), lunches, drinks and a few other meals in town (~$250) are not included.   International medical and emergency evacuation insurance are required, and Cancel for Any Reason Insurance is strongly recommended due to the unpredictable chance of lockdowns during these waning days of Covid-19.

Covid-19 Considerations

U.S. citizens can enter Italy if they can show proof of full vaccination or past covid infection.  Participants in this adventure must have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before travel.  Entry requirements and rules for Italy are given at http://www.italia.it/en/useful-info/covid-19-updates-information-for-tourists.html.   Italy is reopened to tourism and this trip goes to one of their "white" zones with lowest covid risk.   Outdoor mask mandates have recently been suspended, but  public transport, museums and restaurants may require masks and social distancing and may have capacity limits. Restrictions could change suddenly before or during our trip resulting in postponement, cancellation or interruption of the trip, so Cancel for Any Reason insurance is strongly recommended to protect the nonrefundable portion of your trip expense.

Registration Instructions: 

Please complete and submit the application form, after which the leader may get back to you with additional questions.    APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL JULY 23.  First priority for available space will be for those from Global Adventures that had to be cancelled during the pandemic.

After the leader’s approval to join the roster, please pay the 50% deposit ($1200) in order to hold your space.  Acceptance on the roster will not necessarily be a function of the date of application but will also reflect your experience and fitness.   A place on the roster can only be held with payment of the deposit.  You will be required to sign the Mountaineers Covid-19 code of conduct to join the roster.  Registration will close as soon as the roster fills. The balance of the trip payment will be due sometime in August. As soon as you have registered you are asked to complete an online Trip Agreement, Liability Release, and Supplemental Information forms.

APPLICATION     TRIP AGREEMENT    RELEASE

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Cancellation Policy: 

If you cancel frotgis adventure for any reason,  $225 will be non-recoverable from the point that you pay your deposit, and your trip price will be non-refundable after the final payment date, unless we are able to get a qualified replacement in which case you will be refunded your payment up to that date less the $100 admin fee.