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Day Six Schlern, Italy- While enjoying a plate of spaghetti with a great Latte', we discussed a plan of attack for the reminder of the day. We had about 5 more hours of hiking and climbing to get to the Schlern summit and another 4 or so hours to get back down to the lift. Tim was very reluctant to continue much further wanting to return tomorrow and approach the Schlern from another route, then return and catch our train to Verona. I objected and offered that he should return to the Hotel, I would continue to the Schlern and night out there, and he could meet me there tomorrow.We agreed to push on together and evaluate our timing/options in Dialer the last turn around before the push to the Schlern summit. Walking along the ridge in the wind and snow we passed free range cattle and horses, a horse chased Tim through a gate.We cruised to Dialer and decided to push on to Alp De Tires (2441 meters) . The snow began to really come down and the temperature was now zero degrees Celsius and the trail was a steep cobble stone service road that split the Dolomites. We arrived at Alp De Tires and stepped into the Rifugio ordering a coffee and Tim a beer. We spoke with some Dutch climbers and a father and son team from Santa Barbara who had just returned from "the Tooth "climb. All of the climbers discouraged us from venturing out to the Schlern recommending that we stay in for the night. They stated that it was about 2 more hours on a good day to the Summit of the Schlern and the weather had now worsened with the winds gusting to 40 mph. With my eyes set on the Prize, the Schlern, we pushed on. We dropped 60 meters of elevation and then climbed straight up the Dolomites, in the snow and wind, out onto a ridge.The wind and snow was blowing directly over the ridge and was quite wicked looking. Visibility was not good and the trail was difficult to find; we trudged on. Finally the weather began to break as we began to climb a small ridge towards the Rifugio Bolzano aka the Schlern (2450 meters).Checking in with the staff, they stated that they had plenty of room but had expected the night before. They also explained that dinner was from 1800-1830, the time was now 1800. We chose to sleep in the Dorm, as it was empty and according to the innkeeper no other crazy people would venture up in the storm.Tim was happy as it saved us about 10 Euro's by staying in the Dorm.The only heated room in the Rifugio was the dining room, warmed by a woodstove.The rest of the place including the Dorm was frigid! We dined; I had spaghetti and several beers, and began to talk to the other 3 couples that had ventured up prior to the storm. 2 of the couples spoke very good English, they were from Germany. The other couple was from Italy and understood a little English but did not speak any English. With broken translation we decided to climb Mt. Pez (2564 meters) with one of the Italians and his dog. The weather had now broken and the light was unbelievable, reflecting off of the Dolomites. We returned to the lodge, shared numerous drinks with the other climbers and then headed off to our cold dorm room! What an Epitastic Day!
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