The Dolomites – Proudly Italian
Words and photos by Daniele Sommavilla and Peter Steyn
The Italian Dolomites – Imagine a fusion between the Swiss Alps and the mountains of Torres del Paine in the southern Chilean Patagonia region. Think Dolomites! Proudly Italian. We explore the Italian Dolomites Mountains
with Daniele Sommavilla who grew up in the area and remains a frequent year-round visitor.
Massive bone-white and orange-yellow rock formations jutting out to gigantic proportions, surrounded by verdant valleys and low-hanging morning fog – complete with a vast network of World War 1 mountain tunnels and to top it off, a “rifugio” with spectacular panoramic views and Italian food to drool over. Yes, Italian. Welcome to the Italian Dolomites.
The rock formations of the Dolomites, both the colour and shapes, are unique and quite different from the rest of the Alps. So strange is the combination of volcanic and dolomitic rock formations that they attracted the attention of French chemist and mineralogist, Deodat de Gratet de Dolomieu (1750-1801), after whom the mountains are named.
The discovery of an unknown mineral, calcium magnesium carbonate, CaMg(CO3)2, resulted in the labelling of this anhydrous carbonate mineral as “dolomite”. However, the entire Dolomite Mountains are not made of dolomite. The Latemar Peak, and also Marmolada the highest peak (3,343 metres), are limestone.
While the imposing rock formations are the main draw to the region, adventurers flock to the area for trekking, caving, mountain biking, horse trekking, climbing, rafting, and several winter sports such as skiing, carving, sledding, tobogganing, snowboarding, and the list goes on.
Evenings are spent around wood fires, enjoyed with Italian cuisines and regional wines such as the Teroldego, Nosiola, Lagrein and the Marzemino. Stay for the night at the Rifugio Lagazuoi with panoramic views in all directions. From here, explore the open-air museum of the Great War, aka World War 1 (WW1), then ski, or hike, down the famous Armentarola slope.
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Globerovers Magazine July 2018
Views from Rifugio Lagazuoi, Monte Lagazuoi, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy
Views from Rifugio Lagazuoi, Monte Lagazuoi, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy
Rifugio Lagazuoi, Monte Lagazuoi, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy
Views from Rifugio Lagazuoi, Monte Lagazuoi, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy
Rifugio Lagazuoi, Monte Lagazuoi, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy
Views from Rifugio Lagazuoi, Monte Lagazuoi, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy
Villages in the northern Dolomites south of Refugio Lagazuoi, Italy
Views from Rifugio Lagazuoi, Monte Lagazuoi, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy
Around Corvara, Alta Badia, Dolomites, Italy
Around Corvara, Alta Badia, Dolomites, Italy
Around Corvara, Alta Badia, Dolomites, Italy
Cibiana di Cadore, Province of Belluno, Italy
Around the Rifugio Citta Di Fiume, Dolomites, Italy
Cross at the top of the Dolomites near the Rifugio Lagazuoi, Monte Lagazuoi, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy
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Globerovers Magazine July 2018