The day after Christmas I continued with my efforts to hike up onto the tallest mountains in the township of Camaiore. I had visited Monte Prana the previous week on two different trips and now it was time for Monte Matanna. For some who knows why reason I decided this was the day to dress minimally and carry no extras. Big mistake. Ah well, live and learn.
Click on the photos to see a larger version.
First, here are the photos from my Prana attempts. Prana’s rugged head rears up above the small town of Camaiore. It rises up above the tree line, so its outline is sharp. I’ve wanted to hike it since I got here.
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The day after Christmas, it was time to try Matanna. It was clear but we had high winds and cold temps. Nonetheless, I drove up to Casoli to start my hike. Nobody was there when I parked, but before I left a woman drove up in her car. Turned out she was the person on my first Prana attempt who had given me directions. Antonella. I hope to see her again. Maybe we can hike together sometime.
The hike was beautiful but OMG cold. Suddenly I was walking in snow and the wind was howling down the valley. I put on every piece of clothing I had and it Just Enough. I found a slightly marginally sheltered place behind a rock to eat my sandwich (nothing builds heat like food!) and kept heading upwards. When I got the ridge before the last climb, I was almost being blown off the trail. It was beastly cold. I came to my senses and turned around… enough!
I was so happy to get back to my car. I was a frozen block and as soon as I got home, I took a long hot bath!!
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