Sample Welcome Letter - New Fellow Physician

In Upper PARMENSE

Still lots of snow in the high Parma!
It 's been some time since 27 February, when - along with Valerie, and Emilio Antonio - I went in Val Parma participants in the course of winter hiking organized by CAI Bologna and directed by Mauro Pini. The goal should be that Monte Sillara already a couple of years ago, buried under two meters of snow and passes, surrounded by clouds and lashed by a heavy snowfall, we had put in serious difficulties, particularly with regard to the orientation .
And this time things are repeated in part, at least initially.

However, we goal changed: since the roads to the high Val Cedra were more confusing, we folded upper Val Parma and Lagdei, gateway to Lake Santo Parmense. Hence, with more than a meter of snow on the ground, we walked - again under a heavy snowfall - to the lake looked like a photocopy of "Sillara 2009." But ...
But the snow has been reduced. The snow was abundant, but perfect for snowshoeing. The fog but yes, that was the same as "Sillara 2009." So come to the lake, instead of heading to the Sella Marmagna we decided to return to Lagdei a route different from the slope facing slopes that have allowed us to ourselves with ice axes and crampons (as a means of hiking).
Back at the car, the now familiar eaten not long in coming. At the Trattoria Tre Ablondi Rii (I just renamed the American in "Three Rivers"), we stuffed full of cold cuts - which he has excelled in the classic prosciutto di Parma - Parmigiano Reggiano and better (than anything else ?). All washed down with Lambrusco Parma a much more robust than its counterpart from Modena.
So everything is done as usual in glory.

Giovanni Mazzanti

Kates Playground, Clit

ALWAYS SNOW MOUNTAIN BIG IN S. STEFANO

time during these Christmas and End Year high in the Apennines was not particularly conducive to outdoor activities, especially all'erscursionismo winter.
gloomy day, the sky is often covered or even zero visibility, warm wind and drizzle that have dramatically reduced the snowpack, with the only result in some positive way to reduce the risk of avalanches also almost everywhere.

Luckily I managed to carve out a space for snowshoeing between tortellini and panettone the day after Christmas, when I celebrated the feast day of the brother "of the same name" with a Sgambati from RI Monte Rio Grande Regional Park in the Horn alle Scale. Under a snow

abundant and unceasing we climbed the trail in the dense fir forest that is great on the walls distente north of Mount La Nuda to Bagnadore blossomed. Here we have reassembled the south side of Monte Grande in the beautiful beech forest along the path 125 - scored well, congratulations to the Friends of CAI Alto Appennino Bolognese! - And we have reached 1531 m altitude of the peak: indeed relatively low altitude, but ennobled by a snowstorm and winds from the mountains. In
down we returned to Bagnadore and since we still had time, leg and breath, we granted the crossing from the mouth to Madonna dell'Acero, where we finally worn snowshoes. The course has also given the magic of a double waterfall in the winter landscape, under the continuing snowfall that has reconstituted the snow broke up almost everywhere in the days before because of the unexpectedly mild and rainy climate. From Madonna dell'Acero we returned to Rio Rì down the road, now completely whitewashed.
Although the visibility and the weather was bad, we could enjoy the magic of walking in the great forests of beech and silver fir, in the most absolute silence and stillness. And this - it must be said - thanks to the choice of a route easily and free of spots, conduct careful and prudent kept constant the way (several times we were in doubt about the continuation of the path, but we kept close to the last visible sign of looking carefully for the next ...) and good performances of our tried and tested equipment. All these are essential in order to provide nice winter hike and safely even if the weather is bad. Otherwise, you should stay at home in the warmth ...

Giovanni Mazzanti

Clear Plain Hair Comb

THE MOUNTAIN "Assassin"?

Unfortunately the winter season began with the tragic news about sci-climbers and hikers swept away by avalanches. And news are coming from very near the Mount Cusna, one of 10 peaks of which I speak in the 2000 book, perhaps my favorite.
not everyone knows that, but in our high Apennines accumulations of snow can become very large, even early in the season (currently more than one meter in altitude) and gullies in the rise in temperature after the first snowfall can lead to high risks associated with avalanches: look at this huge avalanche that I photographed in April 2009 in the Valley of Silence, on the North side of the Corno alle Scale, and I have already proposed last spring!

Fortunately, in addition to the dead there are survivors, as the two hikers missing in the Casoni's Profecchia and Bocca di Massa, in the shadow of Mount Prado. Parties with inclement weather and thick fog - a specialty of the Apennines, see photo on the side - they were lost and spent the night in a makeshift igloo. Shortly before dawn, were rescued from mountain rescue. Must say thanks to luck and the phone ...
In these cases, back to talking about "Killer Mountain". In reality, as all experts agree emphasize the Mountain is not bad: it's just a severe environment - especially in winter and bad weather! - Reserve and faces to those who love surprises so superficial and imprudent. This is true also for the high Apennines!
now in the warmth of the malls is material quality hiking and backcountry skiing and plenty of cheap, available to everyone. But do not just buy the best equipment: you should be able to use. And you have to accumulate experience on the ground, before launching into more challenging tours.
It is therefore essential to attend the courses of CAI, such as the next course of winter-walking to be held from January to March 2011 at the Bologna CAI (see photo for details, see also the NEWS blog in the top right).

Finally, not only ski-mountaineers, but also the hikers with snowshoes and / or crampons should pay attention to weather conditions, snow, snow cover in the days before the excursion, and in particular visit http://www.meteomont.org/ that region to region, with bulletins updated every 24 hours providing all this valuable information. For this the beginning of the winter season resume to publish weekly updates on the bulletin Meteomont Emilia Romagna region (see above).
Remember: do not transform a hike in a day to forget. And we have the courage to give up if the weather conditions and / or snow conditions are not favorable ...

Giovanni Mazzanti