Day 17 - into the heart of the Dolomites

Tuesday 23 July 2019

It is a poignant day for me today. On 23 July 1925 my late mother was born. Mum would have been 94 today. Always in my thoughts.

Our ride this morning takes us over Nigerpass and the first signs of the devastation wrought by the massive storms of last October. Entire forested slopes are just gone, the tall fir trees thrown down the hillsides like matchsticks.

At least 18 people died and some mountain villages were cut off for weeks as the hard work of clearing the roads and restoring the power lines still continues.

Nigerpass sign. Stickerman couldn’t climb that high so had to mark our route on the sign leg

After Niger comes the busy ski resort of Canazei where we stop for coffee. Already it is hot up here on the high alpine passes.
Because this is a ski resort the road down is in excellent condition, perfect for motos.

Ski resort atop the Karerpass


The road winding down from the summit of  Karerpass. Beautiful surface


 More from Karerpass

Wonderful Dolomites landscape. On the road down to Karersee


Our next high pass is Falzarego. The roads around Cortina are kept in beautiful condition here in the heart of summer and winter tourism.
Passo Falzarego

Mick does his bit for European unity by photographing a German family. Perhaps he could be our next Foreign Minister. Couldn’t do a worse job than that idiot Johnson fellow. Hang on a minute...
Mick helping out with the camera

After a sublime run down the twisties on the east side of Falzarego we ride through Cortina d’Ampezzo and arrive at Camping Rochetta, our billet for the next two nights.
Tents up at Camping Forchetta

It has been a thoroughly enjoyable ride but very sad to see the destruction of so many trees in the hurricanes last year. It will be many years before the Dolomites are restored to their former glory.

Tomorrow we plan to ride on the small roads to the south of Cortina and see more of the beauty and the devastation.
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Comments

  1. Michael J4 August 2019 at 11:16

    +1 on the devastation. I was absolutely shocked at how bad it was. The Karersee, which was a lovely little lake in the woods, is now just a lovely little lake. It even extends to the Passo Manghen, although not quite as bad as the central Dolomites. Come back in 100 years.

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