78 miles, 11 days and over 22,000 elevation gain.

All of us had our ups and downs over the 11 day Alta Via 1 hut to hut hike in the Italian Dolomites. We averaged 6.6 miles and 2000′ climb and descent a day. This was a much more technical trail than the TMB and rarely a gradual anything – we were going steeply uphill or down! I was blown away by the beauty of this trail – so many different and breathtaking parts. The green locations in the elevation profile below are where we stayed each night.

I had been training in general for four months. I had given my husband and stepson a training plan which wasn’t really followed – they did great! I knew better yet didn’t bring enough electrolytes and was underfueled and feeling terrible the first week. Perhaps it was also the elevation (we were between 6000-9000′) and big step ups required on these technical trails but it was discouraging and I often played sweep position between us. I had a huge rebound after increasing calories, stretching and using my workout music to remember the beast I am (or would like to be!). I stupidly pulled electrolytes to save weight at the last minute – even though I knew better!

There is something along these long mountain hiking routes that reveals truths. I received a Donahue sandwich while crying one day and I supported them on their tough days. Maybe its the physicality of it, or the remoteness, or the beauty but we ended up better for it as a family.

And at Pramperet, the refuge with the accordian playing, drinking, wrestling staff, I found this quote:

…The higher someone climbs,

The further one sees,

The one who sees farther

dreams bigger.

– Walter Bonatti