On Life and Mountains

On Life and Mountains

  • Joined: 2026-02-17
  • Articles: 18

Via Ferrata Vallon: Guide to the Majestic Piz Boè

Sella Group of Italian Dolomites

Tired of the tourist crowds on Piz Boè? The Via Ferrata Vallon is your secret side door to the summit. From a heart pounding suspension bridge over a waterfall to a lunar plateau where you can find 200 million year old sea fossils - this route is the ultimate way to earn your 3,152m view. If you want an "off the beaten track" adventure in the Sella Group, this is the itinerary for you.

Climbing Triglav in One Day: Epic Itinerary, Timing and Gear

View of Triglav from the Mali Triglav

"You aren't a true Slovenian until you've stood on Triglav." Rising to 2864m, this peak isn't just a mountain - it’s the heart of national identity. While most hikers split the 22km journey into two days, I took on the challenge of a single-day ascent via the Krma Valley. From a 4:30 AM start under the stars to the exposed ridge of Mali Triglav, here is the full itinerary on climbing the roof of the Julian Alps - including the most beautiful glamping basecamp in Mojstrana.

Via Ferrata du Parc Thermal: Epic Adventure in French Alps

Woman crossing a suspension bridge in Via Ferrata du Parc Thermal, France

The Via Ferrata du Parc Thermal takes you deep into a gorge. Located in the heart of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, this Extremely Difficult Grade E route is a vertical playground of iron ladders, high-exposure traverses, and a 45-meter hanging bridge. Whether you're testing your arm strength on the 90-degree walls or balancing over a thundering waterfall, this is the ultimate Alpine adrenaline rush - perfectly followed by a soak in the town's famous thermal springs.

Via Ferrata Cesare Piazzetta: Hardest Route in the Dolomites

Women with via ferrata gear on the summit of Piz Boe in Italian Dolomites

Forget the tourist trails. Via Ferrata Cesare Piazzetta is a brutal, high-exposure mission designed for those who want to earn their summit the hard way. From the legendary 90-degree vertical wall that pumps your arms in the first 50 meters to the narrow, dark "chimney" and the minimalist suspension bridge, this is a masterclass in Dolomite climbing. We’re breaking down the logistics, the technical gear requirements, and the reality of tackling one of the Sella Group’s most respected and physically demanding routes.

Breithorn: Most Easily Accessible 4000m Peak in the Alps

View of Monterosa Massif peaks from Breithorn Summit

Standing at 4165 meters on the high alpine border between Italy and Switzerland, the Western Breithorn is often called the perfect entryway to the 4,000m peaks of the Alps. Whether you approach from the Italian side via Cervinia or the Swiss side via Zermatt, this stunning glacier route offers world class views of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa massif with a relatively short ascent.

New Zealand Road Trip: Traveling through the North Island

Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand, South Island

Discover the "Land of the Long White Cloud." This guide takes you through a 3-week adventure across New Zealand's North Island, featuring the sacred volcanoes of Tongariro, the "Avatar" forests of Rotorua, and the hidden geothermal springs of the Coromandel Peninsula. Whether you're rafting down a 7-meter waterfall or digging your own hot tub on the beach, Aotearoa has an adventure for everyone.

Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona: The Most Iconic Route of the Dolomites

Rifugio Lorenzi at the via ferrata Ivano Dibona, Cristallo Dolomites

Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona is an iconic 13km traverse in the Cristallo mountain group, famously featuring the suspension bridge from the film Cliffhanger. Reaching the 3,008m summit of Cristallino d’Ampezzo, this 8-hour journey follows historic World War I trails, blending dramatic high-altitude ridges with the haunting ruins of military history and the breathtaking silhouettes of the Dolomites.