Sustainable experiences on the peaks

After three years of extensive renovation and expansion works, made even more challenging due to the altitude of almost 3000 m, a historic mountain hut in the Fassa Dolomites is ready for hikers once again. The Tridentine Alpinists Society’s Boè Mountain Hut is located at the foot of Piz Boè within the Sella massif at an altitude of 2,871 m, and is open again from 20 June. The mountain hut can be reached through a variety of hiking trails. Among these, the longest (3 hrs. and 45 min.) yet the most charming climbs from Pian Schiavaneis to Passo Sella, then up the wild and silent Val Lastìes to Pian de Roces, Val Larga and finally Forcella di Antersass.

The design combines the restored section of the 1898 historic mountain hut with a new construction of the same size, that makes use of modern materials and architecture. The must-see R&R retreat is stationed along Alta Via Dolomitica no. 2, and has 76 beds and several dining rooms, including a historic stube in the oldest building section, which together can accommodate 114 guests.

Low-Impact Solutions

The issue of water supply was given particular attention in the renovation design. On the calcareous soil of the Sella massif, global warming has amplified water access issues, as glaciers and small snowfields retreat further each summer. For this reason, the Boé Mountain Hut has been equipped with four water distribution networks: “white” water, collected as melt water from around the mountain hut, is run to washbasins and showers and is used in the fire-fighting network; “grey” water, comprised of rainwater and the filtered run-off from drains of washbasins, feeds the toilet flushing systems; “drinkable” water, which is harvested through cutting-edge mineralisation, filtration and purification of water collected around the mountain hut, is served to guests, completely eliminating or, at minimum, reducing the sale of water in plastic bottles.

To reduce its footprint, the Boè Mountain Hut will be connected directly to a primary electricity distribution network; wastewater will also be disposed of through direct connection with the sewer network on the valley floor, then run up to Pian Schiavaneis, a project that is scheduled for completion in 2022.

The same water purification system of the Boè Mountain Hut will also be installed at the Val di Fumo Mountain Hut in the Adamello Group, in the southern portion of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park. Meanwhile, at the Saènt - Silvio Dorigoni Mountain Hut in the upper Val di Rabbi, a new turbine system will provide renewable energy.

To ensure adherence to the most recent regulatory requirements, more energy works will begin this summer at the Mandròn “Città di Trento” Mountain Hut in Val Genova, a point of departure for glacier crossings in the Trentino portion of the Adamello Group, towards the Ai Caduti dell’Adamello Mountain Hut at the Lobbia Pass. The mountain hut will have a decreased accommodation capacity while these works are underway.

Via delle Normali, the crossing of the Brenta Dolomites from peak to peak

The history of mountaineering is studded with curious episodes. In the early 1950s, Italy embarked on the conquest of K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth. Among the candidates to be part of the expedition was Cesare Maestri, the “spider of the Dolomites”, who was later excluded by Prof. Ardito Desio, the expedition leader. The reason given for the exclusion (a heart condition) did not deter Maestri, who responded by hiking through 16 peaks of the central chain in less than 24 hours, from Cima d’Ambièz to Bocca di Tuckett. Thanks to the valuable work of the Trentino Alpine Guides College, today it is possible to trace back the footsteps of Maestri and of the pioneers of mountaineering, by climbing across the main peaks of the Brenta Dolomites Group with a one-of-a-kind itinerary.

Almost ninety years after the design of the historic “via delle Bocchette”, Via delle Normali entails the ascent of 10 peaks in the Brenta Group, all more than 2900 m high (Cima d’Ambièz, Cima Tosa, Crozzon di Brenta, Campanile Alto, Torre di Brenta, Cima Brenta, Cima Falkner, Cima Grostè, Cima Pietra Grande and Cima Vagliana). The difficulty level never exceeds III+, in some spots hikers walk on portions of via ferrata and the approaches, starting from the huts, are never too long. It is an “exploratory” mountaineering experience that connects several peaks along the most historic routes across several days.

Easier than the more well-known classic hikes, though no less interesting, Via delle Normali, allows hikers to discover the Brenta Group, memorialised in the diaries of the mountaineers who first faced these Dolomite peaks in the 1800s. These rock routes have all been restored with new rest anchors and protections, thanks to the work of the Trentino mountain guides.

The itinerary starts in the south, from the Silvio Agostini Mountain Hut, or from the XII Apostoli Mountain Hut. Along the way, hikers can rely on eight mountain huts, as well as the Castiglioni bivouac on the Crozzòn di Brenta Peak. Once hikers reach their final destination, the Graffer al Grosté Mountain Hut, they will have put more than 45 km under their belt, through spires and walls, passes and forks.

Let’s Dolomites, the Mountains as you have never known them

Let’s Dolomites, a project conceived by the Trentino Alpine Guides, is designed for those who want to experience trekking in the main mountain groups of Trentino. You can choose from weekly packages of six or three days with overnight stays in mountain huts and dairies. Here are some examples.

On the via ferratas of the Brenta Dolomites: medium difficulty; three days to come face-to-face with the world of via ferratas and enter the heart of the Brenta Dolomites, through vertical stairs and overhead ledges along the Bocchette Centrali. The basic package costs Euro 955 per person.

Trekking on Alta via N. 2 of the Dolomites: challenging; six days from Pale di San Martino to Vette Feltrine, through wild landscapes, towering Dolomite spires and high-altitude pastures. Starting from Euro 865 per person.

On the trail of the White War: challenging; three days at high altitude in the Adamello Group, on the trail of the Great War. From the Sentiero dei Fiori via ferrata, to the Cannone of Cresta Croce and the Corno di Cavento tunnel. Starting from Euro 535 per person.

Six days in the Fassa Dolomites: easy; six days of trekking along a stretch of Alta Via 2 through Marmolada and the Sella and Sassolungo groups, discovering the most beautiful views of the Fassa Dolomites. Starting from Euro 895 per person.

Trekking through mountain and huts and dairies in the Stelvio National Park: easy; three days at the foot of the Ortles Cevedale peaks, in a place where protected nature meets the charm of alpine traditions. The package includes an overnight in a dairy hut and a mountain hut. Starting from Euro 435 per person. Info and reservations:

www.campobase.travel