More on Mountain Trekking

[Dermot Brophy]

Ai nostri monti - again!

We had a very pleasant and informative day today - well, yesterday by this ungodly hour.

In the middle of magnificent scenery in Pollino Nat Pk is the village of Rotunda. The Sede of the Pollino people is there. Phone 0973 669311. We met a most helpful young man, called Paul, (a native of Scalea, actually) who gave us a useful and informative map of the park, (he produced one in English as well.)

More interestingly, he told us that a map of the Pollino trekking paths is being prepared, and they hope to have it ready some time this year. The website - Parco Nazionale del Pollino and email ente@parcopollino.it may be in a position to provide updated info.

By car from scalea, it took us about 1hr30 through Santa Dominica Talao, Papasidero, over the A3 and across by the SP4. Some of the driving is not for the faint-hearted - but then that could be said of most driving around these parts. There are alternative routes, involving the SS18 (north) 585 to Lauria, A3 down to its intersection with the road from Papasidero - SP3, (Rotunda is signposted pretty well from there), but You only save time if you ignore speed-limits (I have just clearly identified myself as an innocent abroad, haven't I?)

Between that and the Orsomarso map which some of us have acquired, we have a reasonable starting-point for planning a bit of foot-work.

I hope to delve a bit deeper in May. Anybody else around then?

Dermot

[Doug]

Greets Dermot-
Please remind me when you'll be there. We don't arrive until May 29th. Would be great to meet and hike if you're still there.

Enjoy your weather now. As I told Lesley, it was snowing again here today. It's rather tiresome.

Ciao, Doug

[Italy4me]

Hi all,
I have eventually managed to find the maps I had tucked away on my hard drive.
Not sure if they will be of much use but I'll attach them to this post.
Dermot, how long are you here for?
We are back to school this afternoon so will be in Scalea each afternoon until the end of the week.
Regards, Lesley

[Patrick Sugrue]

Hi Dermot
I’m new to this forum but I have done three walks from Orsomarso. I say Orsomarso but they actually start in the forest, within the national park, and are numbered 1 to 3 and marked with coloured stones along the routes. The forest can be accessed by car if you don’t fancy an extra 12k of walking from Orsomarso to Oscar’s refugio which is at the end of the road. I can’t remember which number applies to which walk but of the three, there is one which begins right beside Oscar’s refugio and rises to nearly 1k metres. I may be wrong but I think it’s numbered Walk no. 3. This is definitely the pick of the three walks. You’ll know you’re on the right one because the ascent begins immediately and is reasonably steep from the off. The view from the summit is stunning and you’ll also see an abandoned refugio which you can walk to. The whole walk takes about 3 hours, 4 max. The locals warn about Cinghiali and Vipere but I haven’t seen any to date. Apparently you should hug a tree if a wild boar charges and wear long loose trousers to counteract snake-bites.
There is a second walk along by the river which also starts very close to the refugio but it becomes almost impossible after 5k or so, unless you fancy wading across the river Argentino, because the bridges have collapsed.
The third walk begins about 3k into the forest beside a concrete bridge over the river and is okay but is enclosed by trees for much of the time and the view from the top isn’t as stunning as the aforementioned one by Oscar’s.
Speaking of which, the food at Oscar’s refugio is excellent and, if you do want to eat, it’s well worth letting him know this before you start your walk. Also, as mobile phones probably won’t work in the mountains ( mine doesn’t ), it’s good to let someone local know you’ve gone on the walk as you are unlikely to meet anyone along the route.
Happy trekking
Patrick

[Dermot Brophy]

Hi all.

Firstly, thanks very much to Patrick for all that detail, and to Lesley for the "buried treasure" unearthed from the depths of a hard drive.

Lesley, we will be here all week, and, oddly enough, we had decided just this evening to get in contact tomorrow. I'll email you, as it'sfar too late to ring anybody at this stage.

Doug, I'm afraid we'll miss each other again - we have to be back in Ireland from May 20 to June 6. We WILL get together on a walk sometime! Speaking of snow, there is still quite a lot of it lying about just above Rotunda.

Regards to all

Dermot

[Doug]

Patrick, I too thank you for that input. We'll have to try the trail by Oscar's and have a lunch on the return. Shouldn't be too hot in May/June. We've never been beyond that restaurant across the stream just below town.

And Dermot, we'll just keep trying. I promise you we'll see you next spring as we have moved our retirements up a year and will be moving to Santa Domenica permanently next winter. Once we leave the employment of the US Forest Service, we can find pleasure again in hiking around the woods for fun!

Oh, how was that class in Tropea?

[Dermot Brophy]

Hello again, Doug.

That's good news about your retirement date - the earlier the better, say the experts.

The week's course in Tropea was quite productive. We found to our surprise that we were the only students - so instead of 4 hours per day in a class, we had two hours with a one-to-one tutor each. Might have been more lively in a class, but we got through a lot of useful work - the young ladies who took us in charge were quick to see what we needed, and acted accordingly.

The accommodation was way above the studio room we had booked - since there was no-one else in the block, he gave us a kind of penthouse with several balconies - one with a beautiful view.

All in all, Doug, we did OK>

Yes, hopefully next spring. Only problem is that I'm getting slower and slower on the hills with each passing day! In mountain trekking terms, I need very understanding companions.

Mind you, that lunch in Oscars sounds good.

Best regards

Dermot

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Dermot Brophy

Yes, hopefully next spring. Only problem is that I'm getting slower and slower on the hills with each passing day! In mountain trekking terms, I need very understanding companions.

Dermot

I understand Dermot. I'm not the mountain goat I was 20 years ago and might not make it all the way to the summit that Patrick describes. I noticed I was breathing harder than normal yesterday at 7500 ft elev. Working at a computer doesn't help the cardio system much. We're hoping that living in a hill town that requires 58 steps just to attain the same level as the car will keep us fit like our elderly Italian neighbors.

The trail descriptions that Giancarlo got translated to English in your San Nicola area sound appealing and easier on the knees and possibly some quiet, remote beach destinations. Civilized trekking eh?

Be well, Doug

[Helena&Jerry]

Hi Dermot and other interested parties

I will be over in mid May with some time spare from painting to stretch my feet. Would love to hear from anybody planning a walk/trek.

I am in SDT but can meet you somewhere so fine monring. Perhaps lets register our interest by emailing so we can exchange cell phone numbers.

Regards

Helena

[Doug]

Hi Helena,
Don't have the Italian mobile number handy, but you are just a 2 minute walk away in SDT. We don't arrive till May 29. Can't remember -- will you guys still be around? Di promises we don't have to do chores the entire two weeks, so hopefully plenty of time for beach and walks. D&D

[Helena&Jerry]

Hi Doug

We will miss you again, sorry to say, as leaving on 20th. Hope all is well with you both.

Helena