Sunday, December 30, 2007. Last date of 2007 for CAI members, and what could be better than the highest peak of the valley (Mount Pope, with its 2005 meters) to round off our first year associates? In addition the rise is not the usual, already discussed on several occasions, but has a variation unknown to us until now. So, after we had gathered in the locality. Pecorone Lauria, before the hut of the Alpine Rescue, we head to our beloved resort Conserva of Lauria, where we find our friends and Vincenzo Pasqualino. Yes, here is our close encounter with Vincent, the "mad man of the snows of Lauria (irrefutable proof for those who still did not believe the existence of the Yeti), who greets us warmly and, as in His style, sends his good wishes for a very picturesque day (it could also not invite us to a well-known destination!). Thus began the journey, which initially runs along the path of the ski slopes, up to the Laudemio Lake, at an altitude of 1550 meters. Hence, instead of continuing along the chairlift Laudemio, we head west and cross the wooden bridge, we enter the dense forest of beech trees along the lake Here the ascent presents the most challenging stretches and softens when, at an altitude above 1600 meters, you enter the Garden Plain, a narrow angle Sirino, of unquestioned good
zza and many unknown, consists of a large plateau in the middle of a morainic amphitheater very similar to that of nearby Laudemio, where are concentrated the runoff of northern slope of Mount Pope At this point you must choose whether to attack from the left side, along the shoulder of the Empress, or along the mirror back to it, the right side. The troops led by Mr. Fabio Limongi opt for second choice, conditioned by the expectation that suggests a less fatigue. But we know that, especially in the mountains, Beware of appearances, and in fact the giggles Fabio leave us now predict a more arduous climb. The climb is hard and follows a straight line, the point where you are on top of the hill and that seems to never come, thanks a scorching sun for most of the typical spring days, make even greater effort, both we must lighten our clothing. We all'antivigilia New Year's at almost 1800 meters, stretches to believe, and I Tutino are practically short-sleeved! But the fun is about to come only now, once top of the hill, after a short sub-level open before us a small ridge as imposing a kind of wall that puts a proper discharge adrenaline. We get rid of snowshoes, crampons obligation, and so on along the rugged slopes of this barrier, then there will be a summit. Fabio and cleverly roped in Tutino accompany the two doctors present in the excursion. Once in a cim
, Dr. Jacob entices us with an excellent grappa Aosta Valley that led to the summit with great parsimony. From the top there is to report specifically calls for teasing to the big absent of the day (it is known that the absent are always wrong, and rightly so that such treatments sorbate, first Henry and Dominic, the latter recently renamed as "o''bimbo!). The descent was marked with the careful observation of Fabio who jumped with his ski tours from the summit and that he delighted us with some fresh snow on technical gestures that perhaps the snows of Sirino had never seen before (Mister, do not ya up though!). In this regard, you can watch its video on you tube that we will prestp to network, always with the consent of the individual concerned.
Throughout the day, we noted the presence of different hiking groups coming from neighboring regions, especially from Puglia, and come over here to carry out various activities available in the high mountains. A significant turnout in a period of total disruption of the lifts, although this is particularly grateful to us, however, because it makes us aware of the potential
considerable potential catchment area that can boast our area, but at the same time leaves us with a bitter taste in mouth the current situation of stand-by Sirino is going through, he deserved a very different fate. There was much talk of the hypothetical development of tourism in our area, the impressive package of tourist offer of sea and mountains that she alone can give, have been made many, many proposals, but to our eyes looks more and more devoid of a mountain services. What can I say, waiting for better times, for now this day is yet another missed opportunity!
Group decimated to this sunny, breezy as, Sunday in January. To settle the troops live on the Monte Alpi Tutino, Domenico Di Domenico Miraglia and I leave, absent Domenico Cantwell ('or Blonde) to study, plus Henry and Fabio to form the famous trio of absentees. It starts at the foot of the mountain, in places the foot of the Alps to 1070 meters, and we go immediately into a canyon, sometimes snowy. Successvamente replaced in the woods, too snowy, finished which we expect a break in the area-based pudding. There are no words to describe the view from up here: to see the entire valley that stretches to the foot of the Sirino is almost the feeling of being behind the window of a plane from peeking over a large portion of territory. But there is not much time to look around, so now we leave, and, under the influence of doping pudding, it imparts a high rate to climb, which henceforth will present more obstacles to the strong gusts wind, whose speed was estimated to be feeling Tutino, would be around the 70-75 km / h. Beyond the wisdom of Tutino, is not indifferent to the action of wind today, so every step is twice as expensive, if not triple, fatigue. We arrived after about two and a half hours from the start to the summit, 1903 meters in altitude, the wind gets stronger here, just a shame that we forgot to film the exciting moment of the top, almost looks like the K2, including wind and snow. We have to stand very little time for some pictures on the ridge east hasty, a little more secure, and then straight down to the forest that gives us the right protection from the wind. A new course, then, that needs to be rebuilt as soon as possible, as it combines the beauty of the landscape and amenicità of limestone rock where the house has pine loricato, the difficulty with difference and the striking presence ice and wind, to make our efforts even more heroic. 
