We're back in Maine!  I’ve been too busy to write about our trip up Monviso last Sunday, (the mountain in the paramount pictures logo).   It was June 21^st, the summer solstice and opening day for many mountain trekking trails.  Our destination was Quintino Sella, a “hut” in a pass way up near the summit.  We left in the early a.m. and got back in the evening all in one piece.  On the way we saw 4 lakes, progressing from swim-able to still frozen, a bunch of ibex, (the local mountain goats that are practically domestic as they are protected and accustomed to hikers) and a whole hell of a lot of real hikers who left us in the dust.   The first hour going up my lungs were on fire, but eventually I adjusted to the altitude and scampered along like one of the little goats!  At times rock slides had covered the trail so we’d wander off in the wrong direction and add ½ hour onto our trip.  We had to cross a lot of areas still covered in snow but we all had poles with us so I didn’t slide off into any crevasses.  Looking down over some of the precipices nearly made me lose my cookies.  The trip was long and exhausting but worth it.  It was quite chilly especially at the summit.  We left the city at 70 something degrees in the early morning and by the time we reached the top it was maybe 50 with wind chill.  We were above the clouds!  So gorgeous.  Take a look-see.

our destination, Monviso

first lake

Lago Fiorenza

rock slide and wild Azalea

GP and Federico

second lake

intrepid hikers on the trail

Lago Chiaretto

still snow

third lake - no name?

Last lake with moon like scape

ditto

The summit above the clouds

This was a bit discouraging.  3 plaques dedicated to hikers who had died here.  Thankfully I saw it on the way down.

Ibex!

So that is it for Italy this year.  Taking the summer off to garden!  I'll be back in September.  xxoo me