Monte Civetta – The great mountain pass

The start of the Alta Via 1 trek was marked by a fiery 800-meter ascent, challenging us with its steep gradient. With our backpacks heavily loaded, mostly with an excessive amount of lithium batteries, our legs burned with every step. Yet, each brief pause on this demanding climb brought with it an increasing sense of awe at the vast, magnificent landscape that awaited us in the coming week.

As we followed the winding ascent, each turn presented us with a more spectacular view of the stunning Lago di Braies below. The further we climbed, the more profound the silence around us grew, enveloping us in the mountain's serene embrace.

Eventually, our efforts were rewarded as we reached our first refuge. Here, we were greeted not just by the shelter's welcoming embrace but also by the delightful prospect of our first cold beer of the trip, a refreshing reward for the day's exertion.