Richard had taken a break from via ferrata to do his own trekking. I joined the Trenti family and Alberto on via ferrata Oskar Schuster at Sasso Piato. Albi (7 years old) and Pietro (9 years old) bounced off their car to greet Alberto with much enthusiasm. I was introduced and Alberto went on to gushed at how much Albi has grown since the year before (when the smallest harness was still too big for him).
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| Alberto, Elli, Albi, Francesco, Pietro |
We took a skinny cable car (standing room for 2 only) to the section between Cinque Dita and Sassolungo and found ourselves above the basin of Sassopiatto.
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| From left: Sasso Levante Grohmann, Cinque Dita, Sassolungo |
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| Conca del Sassopiatto |
It was windy and we had to put on layers as we walked through the valley. The approach to the via ferrata was long and together with the scree which we had to walk on, I thought it would be a challenge for children. Surprisingly, there were many children on this trek and both Pietro and Albi handled the distance and difficult parts very well.
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| Second part of approach to via ferrata Oskar Schuster |
For the ascent, Alberto was roped to the children while Francesco, Elli and I had a go on our own pace at free-climbing and on the via ferrata. There were relatively more free-climbing (as compared to the previous days). On the first part, I climbed ahead and on the second part, Francesco did so. I was also more enthusiastic with taking photographs of the people and scenery around me.
The via ferrata seemed easier and shorter than Ferrata Piccolo Cir but websites rank the exposure, physical and technical difficulty level of Ferrata Oskar Schuster higher than that for Piccolo Cir. I guess it must be because I have gone through the more difficult ones on days 2 and 3 with Alberto (and as such felt relatively more comfortable). (Well, I also had to pretend that it was not difficult because if the 2 children could do it, I could not jolly well cry right?)
The via ferrata seemed easier and shorter than Ferrata Piccolo Cir but websites rank the exposure, physical and technical difficulty level of Ferrata Oskar Schuster higher than that for Piccolo Cir. I guess it must be because I have gone through the more difficult ones on days 2 and 3 with Alberto (and as such felt relatively more comfortable). (Well, I also had to pretend that it was not difficult because if the 2 children could do it, I could not jolly well cry right?)
Looks easy right? I don't think so, at least not for the children ...
Alberto was very patient with the children, answering their questions to everything along the way and also giving encouragement and instructions on the via ferrata. No wonder the children bounced off the car to greet him and their parents trusted him with them.
After the via ferrata, we walked for a bit more to the top:
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| On top of Sassopiato Photo source: Alberto |
We had a quick lunch and made our way down the valley on the other side. If the approach was long, the descent was even longer:
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| View from descent |
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| Grande Albi e Piccolo Albi |
This was the longest trek I did in the Dolomites and it was really more trek than via ferrata, with the whole loop taking no less than 7 hours.
Little Albi may have feet smaller than mine but he sure took everything in his strides! Francesco and Elli must have been so proud of Pietro and Albi for being brave and for their perseverance. I am truly impressed! I guess it also shows that it is never too young to teach the children to love the nature and exercising - they probably have less fear, learn and adapt faster than adults do. Bring your children to the mountains!
Thank you for the lovely day, Francesco, Elli, Pietro, Albi and Alberto! Grazie!
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| On my way home and feeling truly blessed |
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