Ascent to Rifugio Alpe de Tires

Today we hiked up to a Rifugio (Mountain Hut) and spent the night in the dormitory style room with bunk beds.  There were two hike options, both challenging but one was longer than the other.  Jeanna took the longer one and I chose the shorter one.  I started out on a trail that went through woodlands and pastures of the Tschamin Tal (Tal= valley in German).  It was a beautiful hike with trees and streams.

Our Group

Directional signs. . .I always laugh at their times to destination!

Beautiful stream

Ellie drinking from fresh stream fountain

This was the Hohen Steg, a spring that was once buried in a landslide.  It was finally uncovered and is supposed to be known for it's healing effects!  The legend of this stream is that a man named Robert, the old panel-beater of Tiers, was healed from his upset stomach from drinking this healing water.  I wouldn't put this is the category of miracles but I did drink some of the healing waters just in case.  (Our guide, Stefano told us there was no giardia in Italy so I thought it should be safe :-) )

 I loved this framed view of the Rosengarten Mountains.  After this lovely shot the path took a turn for the worse!  The beautiful called ended in a horseshoe of mountain peaks and spires, there looked to be no way out. . .I caught a glimpse of a red shirt that Iwa was wearing winding its way straight up the rocks.  There were cables and iron steps that you had to climb up about 1500 ft.  I would have taken pictures but I was hanging out for dear life and thought that keeping 3 points of contact at all times was more important than a photo.

 This is Carole and I after the harrowing rock climb. . .glad to be at the end of that and we could see the rifugio in the distance!

 This is a picture of our Rifugio Alpe de Tires. . . this was a beautiful hut.  We had hot showers and good food!  The bunk beds were okay. . . but you really have to NEED to go the bathroom to go down the ladder in the middle of the night!

The stunning view from the porch of the rifugio!  We had a great afternoon of chatting and playing a competitive game of Scotch Rummy!  A great day on the mountain!