Running in the Dolomites – sunshine and snow up to the waist
29. 05. 2018
Olga, Martin, Monika, Lenka and me went to a training camp in the Dolomites. Our goal was apparent: to not only enjoy the Dolomites but also to train in Transylvania (the race in Romania was on 19 May). We left Prague on Friday 4 May early in the morning. The journey in the new SUV from Leni was pleasant and we reached the town of Selva di Val Gardena in less than 6.5 hours. We got to know the immediate surroundings, did some shopping in the local Spar store, and, in the afternoon, we went to our "first tasting of the local nature":). Martin had planned the circuit leading up to the hill of La Piza-Monte Stevia, about 12 km (+ 1,000 m). The weather was not ideal (changeable with showers), but we enjoyed it. Our pace was not overwhleming, rather relaxing. Acclimation had to be gradual;). We were taking it all in, photographing, and shooting videos with a drone. The surroundings of the Selva di Val Gardena in the province of South Tyrol (in the Trentino-Alto region) enthralled us. Wherever one looked, there were lush forests, passing into meadows and pastures, over which stood huge rock massifs. Looking at these gigantic rock clils, so typical for the Dolomites, wa an incredible feeling :).
2-step hell in paradise
On Saturday morning, Martin went to train. Preparation for Transylvania was underway and the Dolomites meant for him a 2-phase hell in paradise :). Olga and I were not idle and, in the morning, we ran intervals in the hills. In the afternoon, our team drove on a bit to Passo Sella. From here, we set out on a tour around the Sassolungo massif. The highest point on route was the saddle where the Forcella Sassolungo cable car ends, at about 2,700 meters, and there was at least about 3 meters of snow here. The climb was demanding, the slope was over 45 °. In contrast, the run down was easy :). We spent the whole afternoon going around the rocky massif and photographing it from different angles and perspectives. The snow on route slow us down and was exhausting. The final 2-3 hours of the tour was like purgatory for us. We had stopped laughing whilst everyone concentrated on getting to the car!
Relaxing Sunday - the top of Seceda, 2,519 m above sea level
On Sunday morning, we all agreed that this day would be a relaxing one, for everyone, except Martin :). The goal of that day was the top of Seceda (2,519 m), one of the most photogenic places in the Dolomites and the Alps combined. After the previous, very demading day spent in the snow, we set the bar of well being quite high. We had a great day. The route,, snow-free, with beautiful, sunny weather was like a reward :). At the top of Seceda, we spent about 2 hours admiring the surroundings, shooting and filming. The way down was very pleasant after a long break, so Sunday came out according to the plan and the modifier "relaxing" rightfully belongs to it.
We are wading through the snow up to the waist :)
On Monday morning, the girls set a wake-up alarm for 2:30 A.M. to catch the sunrise on the peak of Secedo. The mission was successful and their photos taken at daybreak are breathtaking!
I and Martin slept in late. We planned a thirty-kilometer circuit with an elevation of +2,100 m. The first climb of the day was on Monte Pic (2,363 m) and it was fatiguing. The way led up the steep slopes. At the top, we were rewarded with a magnificent view of the Seceda and its surroundings. The highlight of the day was the climb along the Ferme massif into the Forcela de Forces de Sieles pass. On our way to the pass we moved along avalanche slopes and occasionally waded through snow up to the waist. The training in such conditions from Saturday afternoon had helped us. We decided, at the pass, to change the original route. We would not reach to the top of Col dala Pieres. The snow lying at the ridge convinced us that without climbing equipment we would not have a chance to get to the top, so we went down from the pass into a valley with the Langentalbach brook. The rundown in the snow and through the half-dried brook was strenuous. Within a distance of 1,200 m, we had sank 600 meters. This trip was perfect training for the Romanian Transylvania, as well as our whole training camp. Adaptation to the altitude had been difficult, but I hope I will put it to good use in less than 2 weeks in Romania :).
In the end, waterfalls
We left on Tuesday. We planned a mini-trip on our way home. We arrived in the village of Barbiano and from there headed for a ten-kilometer trek to the waterfalls. This demanding walk around the Ganderbach-Rio Grande stream with beautiful views of the waterfalls and the valley was the high point of our trip.
We had run in the Dolomites over 90 km / + 6000 meters in total. We enjoyed it and were perfectly trained. I am convinced that we will still return again to the Dolomites.
Martin Nytra