We based in the town of St. Ulrich (Ortisei) in the Val Gardena.

On our first day we checked out one of the more accessible peaks above town, the Kleine Fermeda. Beautiful walking paths through impeccably green alpine meadows, lead to the base of the climbs in this area.

Beth cranks up onto easy ground high above the world of holiday-makers.

Summit number 1!

We weren't the only ones getting a bird's eye view.

And coming down is half the fun.

On the way back we stopped for a cool drink at a little chalet-restaurant, and enjoyed the harmless build-up of cumulus cloud as evening set in.

Our most ambitious climbing objective was the "Fünf Finger Spitze", shown here in the center.

As is very often the case, the morning we chose to climb this was very cold! The wind was icy through this col, but we dressed up warm and hoped for warmer conditions higher up, when we would be in the lee of the main rock formation. Beth here finishing a diagonally traversing pitch near the start.

It's not too hard, but it's purdy darn steep! Beth topping out on pitch two.

Kim and Beth traverse into the notch between the "thumb" and the main peak "hand" of the "Fünf Finger Spitze".

Rappelling back down into the early evening.

Back at the base a little later than planned, but just in time for lovely light.

The following day rain threatened by the time we got close to our selected climb on the Boèseekofel...

Rather than simply bail, we switched gears and did a nearby Via Ferrata. Here is Kim, laughing not with you, but at you...

Evocative glimpses of nearby ridges as the squalls move in.

And a summit visit just after the downpour.

Back in Ortisei/St. Ulrichs, I can't wrap this up without a few shots of this quaint and attractive little town. The church before another shower.

Sculpture-filled pedestrian streets....

And just the spot for a white wedding.

Arrivederci, until the next time!