Anne, your photographs are wonderful. I'm reacting late because I've been offline. Your image of Ranunculus seguieri is now in the Alpenpix gallery, with a link in the notes back to the full array of your photographs in the NARGS Forum.
Many's the time I've wished all the forums were one; so far the only way to be sure what's going on in each of them is to dart back and forth. As for alpine refuges: I've certainly wished for one, staggering down a mountain in a thunderstorm, for example. Perhaps our groups could start funding high-altitude rifugios in addition to public rock gardens at lower elevations. Paige ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 4:30 AM Subject: Re: [Alpine-l] The Dolomites- NARGS Forum link Paige, I don't think easy access is a bad thing. One of the nicest things about hiking in the Dolomites is the Rifugio system (called huttes in Switzerland). They range in size but all offer hot food, wine, chocolate, and refuge in a storm. Having been caught in the Colorado Rockies above treeline in a thunderstorm, this last is a blessing. We got caught once in a storm, made it into a Rifugio where the heat was supplied by all the hikers and their wet and steaming gear. People were practically sitting in each others laps it was so crowded - but very convivial. Most of the Rifugios have overnight accommodations ranging from spartan to comfortable. We once spent the night at one and I loved it. It was in the 30s in the morning (F) and I saw the sun rise over a glacier - how cool is that! Joe drew the line at the shower though - the water was unheated snowmelt. To have the Rifugio system plus the most wonderful plants - and - it's not possible to find a bad view. Attached picture is of a typical gorgeous plant - Ranunculus seguieri. Picture #2 is of a Rifugio in the distance. Anne Spiegel Mid-Hudson Valley in New York Zone 4b/5a? No one really knows anymore. _______________________________________________ Alpine-l mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.science.uu.nl/mailman/listinfo/alpine-l
