Dolomites, Paternkofel. My 1st via ferrata

[trekker53]

Last year was my first time to the Dolomites. Always meaning to go but somehow other places beckoned.
My first days walking I met a German guy Rolf on a trail. We got speaking and ended up walking together.
He holidayed there for the last twenty or so years and knew every mountain you could see.
Anyway he invited me for further hikes, so I mentioned that I'd quite fancy doing some via ferrata. That was no problem so I hired the gear and left the route to him.
Our objective today was Paternkofel, a peak next to the Drei Zinnen ( 3 massive rock towers that are used as a symbol for the Dolomites )

Drei Zinnen. Photo taken a few days later after a snow fall

Car parked and a easy walk to the pass that links these peaks. On one of the Drei Zinnen towers rock climbers could be seen making there way up.

Rock climbers

Gear on and ready to tackle whatever came my way. Trying not to show any nerves. It was my suggestion after all.

Ready for adventure

A tunnel, a remnant from the 1st World War marked the route. A few carved out windows gave us some light. Then a walk along a track cut from the cliff side. Eventually it crossed to the other side. So far no problems.

Ist World War tunnel

Balcony path

Normal mountain walking going up till we hit the wire ropes. Now it was time for the fun to begin.

Treading carefully

At first it was easy scrambling with protection but then the rock face gets steeper.
A decent amount of hand and foot holds got me up. Once or twice I got temporalily stuck as I could see no footholds. The best thing was to haul yourself up by the wires trying not to look down at the decent drop. It was a good feeling when you reached a safe place. Get your breath and enjoy the view till it's time to go on again.
Quite a few people were following behind.

My friend Rolf at the front

This being a very popular peak in a World Heritage Site.

Final push to the summit

Onwards and upwards and the summit soon appeared. A feeling of job well done came over me. Satisfied that's another type of hiking done.
The summit offered good views all around.

Summit cross at 2744 m

Looking down at Dreizinnenhutte

The Dreizinnenhutte is a long way down. People will be sitting there soaking up the wonderful landscape that's all around them. We aim to go there eventually but for now we'll stop and enjoy lunch.
Time to head down following our previous footsteps till we came to a junction with a couple of 1st World War shelter caves.

1st World War shelters

We now go down a different way to take us to the Hutte.

Going down

We gingerly picked our way down while at times we had to let others coming up to cross over.

A busy descent

We could see the Hutte and slowly it got bigger and my time of being tied to a wire rope was coming to an end. I wanted it to go on and on but there's always another time.
We came off the rope then a walk along a stony loose scree took us down to the plateau. Looking back I was gobsmacked to see the route that I'd just come down. If you told me you could climb it I would never have believed them.

Feeling very happy with oneself. Paternkofel to the left of pic

That must rank as one of my best hiking days ever along with looking at Mount Everest from Kala Pattar at 18500 feet.

Mount Everest, November 2001

A 15 minute walk took us to a very busy Hutte for refreshments.

Dreizinnenhutte

Time to rest and take some photos of our achievement. Looking at Paternkofel summit it was unbelievable to think I was there.

From the Hutte, Paternkofel stands proud

I'm going back to the Dolomites this September and Rolf will join me so I hope to do some more. You just can't get enough.

[mrssanta]

oh my that looks like a lot of fun. Your pictures were superb

[trekker53]

Hi thanks for that. It was an enjoyable experience. Can't wait to go back there.

[johnkaysleftleg]

I've been to the Dolomites on a coach trip from Lake Garda. Amazing place that any lover of mountains should visit at least once.

[trekker53]

Yes John I quite agree

Charlie

[colgregg]

I've been to the Dolomites on a coach trip from Lake Garda. Amazing place that any lover of mountains should visit at least once.

I did that too JK. The Sala and Pordoi Passes with Gardiners of Spennymoor. What spectacular sights they are too.

[johnkaysleftleg]

I hope the OP doesn't mind but here is a couple of pics from my visit.

[colgregg]

I hope the OP doesn't mind but here is a couple of pics from my visit.

IMG_5023.JPG

IMG_5036.JPG

Is that from the top of the cable car at the Pordoi? If so I wanted to go up that but we only had 45 mins there.

[ChrisW]

wow - what a stunner, fantastic report with spectacular photos - a really great read, cheers

[trekker53]

Chris,
Glad you enjoyed it. I've been to Calgary before with some mates doing lots of hiking traills between Banff and Jasper. It is really impressive out there. Though you do have to watch out for bears. We did see a couple but they were quite a distance away. Lake Louise was fantastic with the mountains and glaciers. Some tea huts along the way for refreshments. How civilised.

[ChrisW]

Some tea huts along the way for refreshments. How civilised.

couldn't agree more, we should have these at home Think I'm going to head out to Lake Louise next week for a few days....if the weather is ok

[trekker53]

Good luck with your plans and maybe let us know how you got on.

[johnkaysleftleg]

I hope the OP doesn't mind but here is a couple of pics from my visit.

IMG_5023.JPG

IMG_5036.JPG

Is that from the top of the cable car at the Pordoi? If so I wanted to go up that but we only had 45 mins there.

It is, we had a bit longer but the guide still discoraged us, bollox to that however and we went up anyway.
Best views I've seen anywhere.

[morag1]

Great report, really enjoyed this

have also been to the dolomites on a day trip from Lake Garda, we had two hours at the top and did a short walk along the trails, nothing like your jaw-dropping exploits Always wanted to go back, so really enjoyed your photos

[garyhortop]

Wow....looks like an amazing trip!!!