Still in the light of our headlamps, we head west down into the Concei Valley early this morning. The descent is brutally steep in extremely narrow forest. Due to the enormous snow load, hundreds of trees have also fallen and require constant climbing maneuvers...
STAGE 2: RIFUGIO PERNICI - TIONE DI TRENTO
...This is followed by a beautiful ski tour ascent to Monte Cadria (2254 m). We are tired and our backpacks of 15 - 17 kg are starting to get heavy - a long day.
The descent and descent over 1300 meters of altitude to the west lead us first over steep gullies, then in a free descent, then again through narrow, wild forest and finally for kilometers in sneakers with skis and ski boots on our backpack on a forest road to our destination for today: Tione de Trento. Now we're looking forward to at least 7 apple spritzers and 3 pizzas (per man!).
The first day already showed us that it was definitely the best decision to start in the south. The snow conditions are gigantic, the avalanche situation is safe and the weather is cloudless.
STAGE 3: SPIAZZO - RIFUGIO CARE ALTO
Tuesday, March 17:
After an 1800 m ascent up to the Care Alto hut, we spend an icy cold night in the winter room up there. The weather is still fantastically beautiful.
STAGE 4: RIFUGIO CARE ALTO - RIFUGIO LOBBIA ALTA
Wednesday, March 18:
The next morning, we get up very early and set off from the hut with headlamps under a fantastic starry sky. First we have to climb down a steep gully to reach the large glacier surfaces of Care Alto. From there we climb from the east, and finally through a small north face, to this very lonely summit. According to the hut book, we are the first to reach the hut this winter and also the first to reach the Care Alto summit (3,465 m). We continue for another 8 km over glaciers to the Adamello hut. We spend the night here.
STAGE 5: RIFUGIO LOBBIA ALTA - PONTE DI LENGO
Thursday, March 19
On Thursday, we set off early again and head up the Adamello (3,554 m) - the second major summit of the Gore-Tex - Mountain Equipment SKITRANSALP - in super beautiful weather. An icy foehn storm is blowing on the Adamello - in the north over the main Alpine ridge we can see the bad weather and the clouds moving in, while down in the south we are walking in the sun. With our hoods over our heads, warm clothing and thick gloves, the icy northern storm can't harm us and we enjoy the forces of nature. Despite the fantastic conditions, we are once again completely alone on the Adamello. From there, we head down to Ponte di Legno.
We now have three more gigantic days of touring behind us and countless unique impressions, experiences and pictures in our "luggage".
STAGE 6: PONTE DI LEGNO - RIFUGIO BRANCA
Rest day - well-deserved ...
Saturday, 21 March:
After five dream days with great weather and ideal conditions, bad conditions have now caught up with us. It has become extremely cold due to a drop in temperature. We are now experiencing temperatures of -15° to -20° C and extreme high winds. Today a 1900 meter ascent from Ponte di Legno to the Branca hut. The weather is still reasonably good for the 29 km, but the icy temperatures and the extreme high altitude storm make it more and more difficult and uncomfortable with every meter of altitude. But after an excellent dinner, we spend a comfortable night in the Branca hut.