VIb.19    Section Passo la Calla - Monte Giogo di Villore   31km

I was the only one having breakfast at the Chalet. I finished my packing, paid up and left the warm place for the cold morning. At least it was dry. I followed the paved road almost to its end. There was a sign for the Rifugio Fontanelle which is at 1389m making me following a gravel road. Here I was back in the clouds and there were on and off snow remnants by the road. When arriving at the rifugio I noticed that it was open. I had tried to phone them and had send an email inquiring whether they where open. I never got any response. Now it was too late and I passed by. The trail was now covered by a number blowdowns but nevertheless easy to walk. At Balze di Rondinaia the red trail went steeply downhill by about 200m. It was slow walking with many very short switch backs. I was glad that it was dry. I would not have liked hiking down in the rain with then slippery rocks and muddy trail. When finally arriving at the bottom there was a sign warning the trail I had just hiked down would be dangerous when wet.

At Poggio Usciaioli I had an early lunch at a picnic site. I am glad I stopped early. No sooner I had finished eating and continued hiking the rain set in. Until arriving at Passo del Muraglione I followed the gravel and later paved road. In the forest was very little wind allowing me to use my umbrella. That kept me pretty dry. From here on the trail follows more or less the ridge. And it kept raining. The trail had by now many puddles of water and started getting soggy in places. Towards evening I noticed on my map that there would be a shelter just past Monte Giogo di Villore ahead. That sounded better than staying in this weather in my tent.

The shelter turned out to be a hut with six bunks and table with a bench. It also included an oven but no fire wood. It was cold inside but dry. The bunks where rather tight and I could not even sit inside. I hung up my wet rain clothes and had dinner. And than I went sleeping.

Little creek by the trail

Snow on the closed road while in the clouds

Last good views before the long rain started

Old beech leaves on the trail

Bunks and drying rain gear in emergency shelter