What does it mean to live above the clouds? What does it mean to forget the noise of roaring cars, the smell of exhaust gas, the frenetic city lifestyle?
Here is a intimate view in the life inside a mountain hut located at 2300m above the sea.
Here is a intimate view in the life inside a mountain hut located at 2300m above the sea.
The Brunone hut is located on the Orobie Alps at an altitude of 2300m. Owned by the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), it has been managed by Marco Brignoli since 2007.
The 227 path is the only way to reach the hut. Starting from Fiumenero (in the municipality of Valbondione) at 800m, it goes up to 2300m (1500m ascent) with a walking time of approximately 3:30/4 hours. It is considered to be the most difficult path leading to a hut in the Orobie of Bergamo, due to its length and degree of slope.
The 227 path is the only way to reach the hut. Starting from Fiumenero (in the municipality of Valbondione) at 800m, it goes up to 2300m (1500m ascent) with a walking time of approximately 3:30/4 hours. It is considered to be the most difficult path leading to a hut in the Orobie of Bergamo, due to its length and degree of slope.
The path does not present any particular danger. However, during the rainy season, many of the streams flowing down from the top of the mountains swell dangerously, making their crossing a real challenge.
For some commuting does not mean to be stuck in traffic for hours, but climbing mountains and crossing rivers.
For some commuting does not mean to be stuck in traffic for hours, but climbing mountains and crossing rivers.
Once there, Marco will not go back into ‘society’ for four months, until the end of September.
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End of May...
...all around the hut the snow is still reigning. It's so thick that it obstruct the access to the boiler room. So Marco, armed with an axe, start chopping the snow to speed up the melting process. The air is thin, cold and crystalline.
You can see the hut shining from afar, like an island of quietness above the clouds.
You can see the hut shining from afar, like an island of quietness above the clouds.
The hut owner crossing the river
The hut owner helping one employee to cross a waterfall
Crossing a swelled spring
Half way, between the earth and the sky
Breaking up the snow to clear a path
Chipping up the snow to clear a path
Climbing up to reach the water intake
A short break while climbing up to the hut
Cleaning the water intake
Crossing the water intake
A ibex guarding the way
View over the valley
Clouds crushing over the peaks
Open air office - Marco is preparing the goods to be loaded on the helicopter
Keeping track of the weight of each helicopter bag
Reading the last newspaper of the summer
Helicopter reaching the hut
