First Time in the Dolomites: A Journey to Remember
They say "first times are always special," and for me, that couldn’t be truer. It was August 9th, 2015—a day that remains etched in my memory.
The night before, I could hardly sleep from excitement. I finally drifted off at 2:00 AM, only to wake up at 5:00 AM, running on just three hours of sleep. Surprisingly, it was enough. My belongings consisted of a big backpack, my camera, and some snacks for the group—quite a load to carry. But I was so engrossed in the adventure that the weight didn’t matter.
I arrived one minute late at the Richard-Strauss-Strasse underground station, which meant I missed the train and had to wait 19 minutes for the next one. As a result, the entire group had to wait for me, leaving me utterly embarrassed. But I quickly redeemed myself by offering samosas, which pleased everyone.
The group was composed of 15 passionate hikers from across the globe: two English, one American, one Australian, two Germans, one Dutch, one Swedish, two Russians, one Bulgarian, one Serbian, one Polish, and me—the only Indian and Asian. Although there were no Italians in the team, which might have been useful in an Italian-speaking region, the diversity was still a hallmark of an international group.
As the bus began to move, my heart raced. This was the first time I was embarking on an adventure of such magnitude, one that had long been on my travel wish list. I wasn’t even originally on the list for this trip, but a spot opened up when one of the hikers had to drop out. The organizer offered me the position, and I was both surprised and thrilled. I had only recently begun hiking with him in Munich, and my first hike was a disaster! Organizing something like this trip wasn’t easy. Chris Humphrey, the organizer, had to plan it six months in advance, booking huts and coordinating logistics for 15 people. His passion for the Dolomites drove him to put it all together, as he does every year.
Chris is originally from England but has lived in Munich for over a decade. He’s a happy family man with two beautiful children and an extraordinary hiker. Paul, the American hiker, always helped Chris with suggestions and was up for any discussion over a beer. Paul, too, has lived in Munich for over a decade, making them more German than foreign. This year, Paul led the Via Ferrata team.
We began our expedition near the serene waters of Pragser Wildsee. My anxiety peaked as we started our hike, and I nervously asked my companions, "What if I can’t keep up?" The girls jokingly replied, "Do or die!" That lighthearted comment strengthened my resolve, echoing Mahatma Gandhi's call for the Indian independence movement. As I took in the breathtaking views, I lost track of time. Before I knew it, we reached our first hut, Schutzhaus Fodara, at an elevation of 1968 meters.
The hut, where three or four rooms had been reserved for our group, was minimalist but comfortable, better than I had expected. Despite being soaked from sudden rain, we managed to dry our belongings. Though I was exhausted, I struggled to sleep, too excited by the new experience.
The next morning, after breakfast, we resumed our journey. The landscapes were so stunning that I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. We hiked for over nine hours that day, each step filled with awe at the beauty surrounding us. The trails led us through valleys blanketed in greenery and dotted with unique wildflowers. We encountered many friendly hikers along the way, each greeting us with a cheerful "ciao," which lifted our spirits.
Our second hut was Rifugio Lagazuoi, perched at 2752 meters. The sunset from nearby Lagazuoi Pizo (2778m) was a sight to behold, and we planned to wake up early for the sunrise, which turned out to be one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life.
Despite being the slowest member of the group on the first two days, I found my rhythm by the third day. The sun had tanned me from brown to nearly black, but something inside me kept pushing me forward. As the only Indian in the group, I was determined to make a good impression. By now, I had become one of the faster hikers, much to the amusement of my companions, who joked about what I must have eaten for breakfast at Rifugio Lagazuoi. In truth, it was the energy of witnessing that magical sunrise that fueled my steps.
After hours of hiking, we reached our next destination, Rifugio Citta di Fiume, where we planned to rest. That night, we played games, chatted, and enjoyed each other’s company, not realizing how quickly time passed.
The next morning, we hiked to Lake Coldai, the most beautiful mountain lake I had ever seen. The water was freezing, but we couldn’t resist swimming. My Australian co-hiker even pulled off some impressive somersaults.
After covering over 50 km, we reached a small village where we enjoyed some much-needed food and drinks. Our leader, Chris, had reserved a table for us under his name. The old Italian man at the shop mispronounced Chris’s name, which made me laugh—something that didn’t go over well. My deep tan led him to think I was African, which only made me laugh harder. However, once he learned I was from India, he warmed up and even offered me a place to stay, which I had to decline due to work obligations back in Munich.
We continued our journey, traversing landscapes that seemed straight out of a painting—vivid colors, stunning shapes, and the serene sounds of nature.
On the final night, we reached Rifugio Vazzoler, where we celebrated our successful trek. The atmosphere was filled with happiness, joy, and a sense of accomplishment. I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude for Chris, who made this journey possible. We shared beers, schnapps, and countless stories, making memories that would last a lifetime.
By the time we boarded the bus back to Munich, I was filled with a deep sense of fulfillment. The journey had been challenging, but it had also been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. The camaraderie, the breathtaking views, and the sheer joy of the adventure were unforgettable.
True to the saying, when the heart says yes, the body follows. And so, the journey ends well.
 |
| Having a beer at Rif Nuvolau and experiencing the the serenity of nature has become my passion by ni  |
 |
| One of the most fantastic times in my entire life, hiking through dolomites and swimming in this lake (Coldai) the mountain beside the lake which gets reflected on the water of the lake (not seen in this picture) is called Monte Civetta |
 |
| Let's meet the happiest hiker I have ever seen, who will always greet you with a smile on her face and always make people happy with her amazing presence, like the beauty of nature, I can't express with words, I can't explain how her presence keeps people comfortable, her friendship is a gem, she is the person who introduced me to This amazing group of people. She is an example of a hiker. All the hikers are like her. |
No comments:
Post a Comment