Via Ferrata
At the start of the via ferrata a small queue had formed but by the time
we had removed crampons and donned our harnesses with via ferrata kit attached
it had dispersed. I led and Dave followed. After a couple of sections a climber
above dislodged a stone about 5cm across that came hurtling down past me
and towards David. It hit his helmet with a thud and we now fully appreciated
the necessity of wearing them.
As via ferrata go it was not particularly difficult and we climbed it
without any real hindrance from the other people. Occasionally we stopped
to drink and once for a Kit Kat. Cloud was bubbling up over some of the
peaks but nothing threatening. The path zigzagged up scree for the last 200m
to the summit. Earlier we had commented how we were not suffering as much
today from the thin air but now it was noticeable. We were above 3100m and
higher than we had been during the rest of the week. It was interesting to
observe the very slow movement upwards of everyone, despite them all appearing
fit and experienced. I never anticipated that lack of oxygen at this height
would be so noticeable.
More photos at http://www.daly.co.uk/john/holiday/dolomites2004