'Peaceful' is the adjective which duly describes that morning on the western bank of Sabato River in the Picentini Mountain Range. The little patches of sky discernible above the hazelnut forest canopy were faintly illuminated by the horizontal beaming of the newly-risen sun. But no direct light was to soon reach the bottom of the deep valley. The only motion was made by the … [Read more...]
Trekking the Picentini Mountains day #2 – Climbing Pizzo San Michele and Monte Mai
As it was instructed, the alarm broke the prevailing silence at 6 am. Darkness was still deep, and the air piercing-cold. So I decided to rather hit the snooze button and enjoy my sleeping bag's warmth for a while longer. Better than the alarm, the first morning sun-rays, finding their way through the oaks' canopy, obliged me to get up and behold the beauty of this excellent … [Read more...]
Trekking the Picentini Mountains day #1 – From Pompei to Fisciano and to Pizzo San Michele
The weather had readopted its usual, sunny and warm mood, I witnessed as I got up this morning. The previous day, I had to delay my scheduled departure because of storms wandering over the Italian region of Campagna. But today was the day. It was the right time to leave Pompei and head to the Picentini Mountains in search of a new, great adventure. I spent the morning … [Read more...]
A Hike up to Mount Vesuvius off-trail without paying the ticket
After having walked 20 km in an unsuccessful attempt to climb Mount Vesuvius starting from Pompei, throughout the previous night; and another 10 km, at least, wandering around the extensive site of ancient Pompei, for the greatest part of the current day; having not slept at all for well over 30 hours... this late afternoon, I with three admirably crazy German friends, we were … [Read more...]
Hiking Mount Vesuvius from Pompei overnight
Half an hour past midnight, carrying water, snacks, a footer, and a torch in a small bag, I was leaving my lodging in downtown Pompei. I set out striding along the streets of the still rather lively town's centre. The restaurants were open, catering the town's visitors with food and the last drinks before making for bed. I was thinking of how different from all those people's … [Read more...]