Lochaber Ladies (Dawn, Emma, Aileen, Susan-Jane, Jo, Kate, Jackie, Nicky & Ellen) have reported that their trip to the Dolomite region of North Italy was a great success! The main reason for their choice of destination was to go and experience the world renowned Via Feratta (iron wires you can clip onto, aiding scrambling/climbing). Other reasons include good company, good wine (lots of it) good food and good weather (although to their surprise it rained for the first two days of their trip).
Undeterred by the rain the ladies took to the Italian hills for a seven hour walk on their first full day and were totally drenched by the end. The next day the sun shone, and they all experienced climbing their first Via Feratta. Two Via Feratta were completed that day and some spectacular scenery was witnessed including the snow capped Austrian Alps. The dwarfs, (oops sorry, the ladies) split into seperate groups on the Tuesday and the Friday of the trip, which enabled them to go off and pursue their own personal choice in Via Feratta, as there were different grades.
Wednesday was the groups longest day (10hrs) on the Italian hills; this included a fantastic D grade Via Feratta climb, which had sections of vertical rock, finishing across a suspension bridge with a 500m drop below. The 'hill walk' continued through what could only be described as breathtaking scenery and terrain which culminated with the group reaching the sumit of Piz Boe at a height of 3152m.
History was also seen by the group when they visited the Pass of Falzarego. This had featured greatly during the First World War when both the Italians and the Austrians, to aid their war effort formed separate tunnels through the hill. The tunnels ran through the hill near enough from top to bottom.
On the social side the ladies enjoyed eating out at various restaurants, with an odd glass or bottle of vino. Arabba, the small town where the ladies were based (1600 mtr above sea level) hosted a week long music festival, which on most evenings the ladies showed their support, having a dance or two! The ladies commented on how much laughter there had been on the trip from start to finish, which is a sign that a good holiday was had by all.