Luca In The Alps

  Overview: Hike: Attempt to summit Rinderhorn (3,449m) Location: Leukerbad, Switzerland Starting Point: Gemmi Pass (2,350m), reached via Gemmibahn cable car Goa l:   Rinderhorn (3,449m) Download GPS file Since I don't want to give the impression that my hikes are always a success, let me share a failed attempt this time. I attempted the Rinderhorn (3,449m) on a sunny late-summer day. Given its altitude, late summer is the ideal season unless you’re prepared for snow. I hadn't slept well and was feeling tired, but with sunny weekends being rare, I decided to go anyway. Starting the Hike The journey begins in Leukerbad (1,450m), where you take the Gemmibahn cable car up to Gemmi Pass (2,350m). At the pass, a hut clings to the cliffside, and there's a suspended viewing platform that adds an adrenaline rush for tourists. The area offers several activities, including Switzerland’s longest via ferrata, which climbs the Daubenhorn, standing opposite the Rinderhorn. To reach ...

Overview Starting point: Jorasses parking, Ovronnaz (1,400m) Lift dropoff: Jorasses 1950m Arrival: La Grande Dent de Morcle (2,969m) Altitude gain: ~1,000m (with chairlift) or ~1,570m (without) Duration: ~5-6 hours total Difficulty: Moderate to challenging Technical difficulty: Easy to moderate (some scrambling near the summit) Download GPS file Starting the Ascent The hike to Dents de Morcle begins at the Jorasses parking in Ovronnaz (1,400m). If you're feeling sporty, you can start from here, but it makes for a long ascent. Instead, I opted for the chairlift to the Jorasse restaurant (1,950m) , cutting out the first steep section. From Jorasses, countless hiking options open up—such as the Tour of Grand Chavalard, the Tour of Six Armaille, and the hike to Cabane Rambert . I'll post about those another time. This time, my goal was La Grande Dent de Morcle . Following the signs to the left, the trail quickly bends behind a ridge, leaving the restaurant out o...

Overview Starting point: Grimentz (1,570m) Gondola dropoff: Bendolla (2120m) Arrival: Becs de Bosson (3,143m) Altitude gain: ~1,000m Duration: 5h (loop) Difficulty: Moderate Technical difficulty: Easy to moderate (some scrambling near the summit) Download GPS file A Perfect October Ascent It was early October, and with a sunny weekend forecast , I saw the perfect opportunity to climb my last 3000m peak of the year . I chose Becs de Bosson (3,143m) , standing right across from Bella Tola , where I had kicked off the summer . I drove to Grimentz in Val d'Anniviers , arriving around 9:30 AM , and took the gondola up to Bendolla (2,120m) . From there, the trail ascends gently through alpine pastures , well-marked and without difficulties. The Ascent to Col des Becs de Bosson (2,974m) The first   part of the hike was straightforward. First on the pastures and then, as I climbed higher, on  rockier and more rugged terrain , though still without any technical challenges. ...

Overview: Starting point: Passo Fedaia (2,057m) Arrival: Punta Penia (3,343m) Altitude gain: 1,286m Duration: 1 day Difficulty: Hard Technical difficulty: Medium Download GPS file I was in Istria, preparing for the trip to my parents’ chalet in Nevegal (Belluno) the next day. My guided tour to Punta Penia, the highest peak of Marmolada — the Queen of the Dolomites —was scheduled for two days later, allowing me time to travel and rest. However, the agency called with unexpected news: rain was forecasted for my planned climb, but the day before was looking perfect. Could I anticipate the climb? I hesitated . It would be a rush, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. In the end, I said yes. The Journey Begins After a long drive, we arrived in Nevegal at 18:00. The tour was set to start at 5:00 at Passo Fedaia, a 1.5-hour drive from Nevegal. With an early wake-up looming, I had dinner and tried to sleep by 20:00—but I couldn’t. Maybe it was too early, or maybe it was the exci...