Hiking the Italian Maritime Alps June 22-July 2, 2010 $1375 Roman Laba, Trip Leader The Italian Maritime Alps rise to over ten thousand feet in a spectacular chain only 30 miles from the Mediterranean. These magnificent peaks, glaciers, forests and meadows are protected in a new national park which is still relatively little known and little visited. We will traverse the heart of them in ten days going over several high mountain cols and past numerous lakes and cirques. Our trip is planned for athletic hikers in good physical condition. The distances are small, the trails are well graded, the trail times are not long and our packs will be light, no more than ten pounds as we will be staying in mountain refuges. Much of the trip will be in high alpine terrain with glaciated rocks, scree and snow but we will also travel though the Alpine mountain zone of meadows, pastures and forests. We start gently and the trail becomes more demanding as we go. The weather is Mediterranean, significantly milder and more stable than the Alps to the North.  The Maritime Alps are famed for their abundance of king ibex and chamois which wander freely through the park with little fear of humans. We will frequently see them on the trail and near the refuges where we will spend our nights. They are also famous for the great diversity and number of their mountain flowers which we will see at their high point in the Spring. The two principal valleys of the Maritime Alps National Park contain two thirds of all the flower species of France and one half of Italy’s.  In June, it is a glory to behold.  Our trip is in the Piedmont province of Italy which has a well deserved reputation around the world for its foods and wines. The refugios and posto tappa where we will stay take great pride in introducing us to this local cuisine. Here is a short description of the Italian Maritime Alps from the book: Wild Italy: A Traveler’s Guide by Tim Jepson. (1995) “They are some of the wildest and least-known mountains in the Alps with peaks of over 3000 meters (10,000 feet), the Alp’s most southerly glaciers, high meadows, crystal- clear streams and dense forests…Their proximity to the Mediterranean lends a distinctly southern flavor…The higher slopes are more verdant than in the central Alps, the scenery more enclosed, the rocks more chaotic, the valleys narrower, the peaks more heavily glaciated. Forests are thicker, trees more numerous, and everywhere there is more variety, less habitation and-above all-more solitude.” How to get there: Turin in Italy and Nice in France are about fifty miles from the Maritime Alps.  It also would be possible to come from Milan, Rome or Geneva airports. From Turin, you need to take a train to Cuneo, (26 trains a day), or take the wonderful old railway over the Maritime Alps from Nice to Cuneo. (6 trains a day)  In Cuneo, take a bus from the train station to our meeting place in the village of Vinadio. (One hour, eight buses a day) Equipment: Trekking poles are essential. Because we will probably encounter some moderate snow slopes, we will carry crampons as a safety precaution. The kind of ankle high, three season boots you would wear in the Adirondacks are adequate along with some basic gaiters to keep out snow. Since we do not have to carry camping gear or food, you only need a day pack which should not have more than ten pounds. (I will send you a detailed gear and clothing list upon registration.) Level of Fitness: the days are planned for fit hikers just arrived from sea levels, who have been active all Spring. If you are a B-Plus Adirondack hiker who has kept in shape, you will do well on this trip. The trails are well graded, thanks to the kings of Italy. Because we are going in early season, we are likely to find some snow on the passes and will carry crampons as a safety precaution. The slopes are moderate and several of the ascents and descents toward the end are substantial. If you do not like steep drops and some rocky and uneven terrain, this is not the trip for you. Accommodations: The hotel in Vinadio on day one, the Locanda del Sorriso on day eight, the Locanda del Parco on day nine and the Edelweiss on the last day have double rooms. The Refugio’s have bunk rooms and may appeal for their very simplicity. They are traditional mountain refuges, rather than hotels.   Included in the cost of the trip: All lodging All dinners and breakfasts Four trail lunches Van to start of the trip from Vinadio Not included: Airfare Beverages Lunch other than four trail days Admission to alpine garden Local bus to Limone Payment Policy: a deposit of $400 is due at the time of registration; the remaining balance of $975 is due no later than March 1, 2010. Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel the trip at any time, an $85.00 ADK registration fee is non refundable. The balance of the deposit is fully refundable up to March 1, 2010. After March 1, 2010, no refunds are possible unless your space can be filled from a waiting list. However, if the ADK cancels the trip or if in the opinion of the leader this trip is not for you, the full amount will be refunded. Daily Itinerary   For more information and to sign up, contact the leader, Roman Laba, 22 Front Street, Schenectady, NY 12305; 518-374-2586, RomanLaba@aol.com PRICING: THIS TRIP IS SUBJECT TO AN INCREASE IN COST AT ANY TIME UNTIL THE TRIP'S DEPARTURE DATE. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL TRIP AND THE PRICE FOR THIS TRIP WAS ESTABLISHED IN NOVEMBER OF 2009, IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR A SURCHARGE IF THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR CONTINUES ITS DECLINE AGAINST THE EURO. Please note:  Prices and trip arrangements are subject to change due to circumstances beyond ADK's control. All registration fees are non-refundable. Details including cancellation policy will be supplied to all those requesting trip information. MEMBERSHIP IN THE ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB IS REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION  MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION