Trekking to Rifugio Casati: A Birthday Among the Snows of Monte Cevedale
As the title suggests, we got hit by quite a bit of hail and snow at the Casati refuge.
But let's take it one step at a time. July 20th is my birthday, and it's always a day I experience with a mixture of joy and sadness. This year, I had planned to spend a weekend with my friends Paddy and Ale in some bivouac in the mountains. I was super excited about the idea. At a certain point, I get a call: it's Ale. He tells me that, unfortunately, he won't be able to make it. I'm very disappointed and saddened. Then, I think, okay, I'll go with Paddy... I call him. He also tells me that at this point, nothing more can be done. Total disappointment 😂
Okay, I'll go for a few mountain bike rides in the mountains, I think.
And then the unthinkable happens. Silvia tells me to get ready because the next afternoon we'll be leaving for Val di Sole ☀️
Before leaving, I don't know how, but she convinces me to let her drive. She sets off and inexplicably keeps taking the wrong turn. She takes the wrong turn until she reaches Piazza Venezia. Where shortly after, Giulio appears! I'm amazed and happy at the same time. We set off, and I don't ask questions. We're heading towards Val di Sole. But we won't stop in the valley headed by Malè. We continue and reach Tonale. And then it's down and up again. Towards the Gavia Pass. Where we sleep at 2600 metres, under a breathtaking starry sky. The next day we set off and descend towards Santa Caterina in Valfurva. We climb back up towards the Forni refuge. I admit I had half-imagined we'd come here. In fact, this is the starting point for the Casati refuge on the slopes of Monte Cevedale. I thought my surprise was over. I was already so happy. I see Silvia wavering, making excuses not to leave right away. I play along. She continues to waver. I continue to play along. At a certain point, what I had hoped for comes true. Paddy, Ale, and his girlfriend, Linda, appear from a bush.
I'm over the moon, and at the same time, I feel stupid for having doubted them. After a moment of emotion, we set off. Finally, we're all heading to the Casati refuge together. A dream come true! I don't want to tell you too much about how it went, but I want you to enjoy the images of this fantastic adventure!