The Widows of the Frontier: the Engravings (2)

 Near the pass and along the mule tracks leading up from Ceresole Reale, it is still possible to identify the ruins of the former barracks and stone military posts, - and the engravings

When the waiting finally ended

There’s a second date worth setting beside Chaberton’s, further along the same wall of concrete and silence, three years later. On the night of 8–9 September 1943, hours after Italy’s armistice with the Allies was announced, a GAF colonel named Giovanni Jon — a Piedmontese, in command at Tarvisio on the wall’s opposite end, facing not France but the sudden, unwanted new enemy of Germany — sounded the alarm and gathered his men on the barracks square. He read them Marshal Badoglio’s proclamation and told them, in effect, that their war was starting now. None of the roughly three hundred men present objected. They held the position against an attacking Waffen-SS regiment for six hours. Twenty-four of them died there; forty-eight more were wounded.

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It Takes Very Little to Become a Believer, in the Alps

 A classic survival yarn: the mountain has been testing people who think they own a piece of it

Up on the plateau, where everyone goes, there are lakes scattered everywhere. Normal people climb up from Rifugio Savoia and walk straight ahead, toward whichever lake the trail signs point to that day.

I, as usual, did not do what normal people do. I decided I wanted to see the other lakes — the ones off to the right, the ones nobody mentions.

It seemed only fair to start at the rifugio, since the rifugio itself is not quite what it looks like. Today, it’s a place where you buy a coffee and a slice of cake before a hike. A century and a half ago, it was a royal hunting lodge — one of the wooden houses Vittorio Emanuele II had built across this plateau in the 1860s, after declaring the entire Gran Paradiso massif his private hunting reserve. The king wanted the ibex for himself, and he wanted it badly enough to ban anyone else from touching it. It is one of those details history hands you for free: the same selfish decree that let one man shoot as many ibex as he liked is the reason the species survived at all, while it vanished from the rest of the Alps. 

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A Warrior's Faith: The Miraculous Journey of a Roman Legionary

All my walks begin with curiosities that I find in books or documents. This story started with the relics of the cathedral of Ivrea.

                                You see the roc and the sanctuary under it

Grand Paradise National Park in Piedmont, Italy And Climatic Changes

The delicate balance of Grand Paradise National Park in Piedmont, Italy is threatened by extreme climate events. The tranquil beauty of the park is increasingly overshadowed by the dramatic effects of climate change, with prolonged droughts giving way to sudden and devastating floods. This troubling pattern is wreaking havoc on the park's fragile ecosystem, posing significant challenges to conservation efforts and the park's sustainability. 

These climate extremes not only threaten the natural habitats within Grand Paradise National Park but also jeopardize the ongoing efforts aimed at preserving its biodiversity. The tranquil beauty that once defined this area is now overshadowed by the disruptive cycles of drought and flood, which disturb the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

Hiking In The Alps When You Visit Italy

The Italian Alps boast breathtaking landscapes of snow-capped peaks, lush alpine meadows, and crystal-clear lakes that captivate outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. 

This stunning beauty offers endless opportunities for nature lovers who visit Italy. The Italian Alps have an irresistible allure that beckons them to immerse themselves in its awe-inspiring grandeur.

Gran Paradiso National Park. Hiking In The Italian Alps

Once upon a time, in the breathtaking Gran Paradiso National Park nestled in the majestic Italian Alps, a group of adventurous nature lovers embarked on a hiking expedition like no other.

As they set foot on the scenic trails of the park, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys, they marveled at the beauty of the diverse flora and fauna that called this pristine wilderness home. From rare alpine flowers blooming in vibrant hues to nimble ibex gracefully navigating the rocky terrain, every moment in the park was a magical experience.

Private Landowners and Shepherd Dogs Working In The Mountains

When we put on our hiking boots and explore mountain trails, we often feel a sense of freedom and connection to nature. The stunning views, fresh air, and sense of achievement that come with reaching a summit all add to the allure of hiking. However, it's important to remember that many of the trails we enjoy exist thanks to the hard work and generosity of private landowners.

Private landowners play a crucial role in maintaining and preserving hiking trails in the mountains in Italy. They allow hikers to access their land, often without charge, so that we can experience the beauty of the natural world. These landowners invest their time, money, and effort into maintaining trails, building bridges, and ensuring that hikers can navigate their property safely.

We truly appreciate this work when we come across an interesting trail, only to find it impassable due to overgrowth and fallen trees. In such cases, we have no choice but to turn back or find an alternative route. Unfortunately, this situation can ruin the hike.

Do marmots live in Italy? Here They Are Not Afraid of People

An indescribable beauty of a place where the mountains are higher than 2000 meters above sea level and where you feel renewed in nature, animals that know they are not threatened by a man. 

Serrù Lake, Agnel Lake, Colle di Nivolet... This is now a place that I visit every June: a unique place where you can meet lots of marmots and also a large herd of ibex.

I leave the car near Lake Serrù and take a nice walk. This time I decided to explore the Ancient Military Road. Honestly, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make it after the winter, but in the end, I did 9 km with significant altitude differences: the parking lot is at 2250 meters above sea level, the highest part I reached 2350, then I went down to 2070 and returned to the parking lot.

I often have breathing problems when walking at heights above 1500m asl, but yesterday I felt so good - I have to say that the height was not felt at all. I mean that if you are afraid of feeling bad in the high mountains (it happens with many) maybe you should choose a different season. For example June and not July or August.

Serrù Lake, Agnel Lake, Colle di Nivolet... This is now a place that I visit every June: a unique place where you can meet lots of marmots and also a large herd of ibex. I leave the car near Lake Serrù and take a nice walk. This time I decided to explore the Ancient Military Road. Honestly, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make it after the winter, but in the end, I did 9 km with significant altitude differences: the parking lot is at 2250 meters above sea level, the highest part I reached 2350, then I went down to 2070 and returned to the parking lot.

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