Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

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TECHNICAL WINTER HIKES
BEN MACDUI, SCOTLAND
Crowning the Cairngorms, Britain’s highest national park, is Ben Macdui, the UK’s
second-tallest peak, just 115ft (35m) shorter than big Ben (Nevis). All Highland
hikes are epic, but a winter ascent of 4295ft (1309m) Macdui promises extra
excitement – especially if you overnight in a snowhole en route (with expert
guidance from someone who knows one end of an avalanche probe from t’other).
From Cairngorm ski centre, creep through the cauldron of Coire an t-Sneachda,
spying snow buntings and grouse-like ptarmigans, and climbers clinging to iceencrusted
cliffs above. When required, don crampons, grip an ice axe, and ascend
to the plateau proper, where five of Scotland’s six highest Munros (mountains
higher than 3000ft/914m) stand, and Am Fear Liath Mòr (the Big Grey Man of Ben
Macdui, a Yeti-like monster) is rumoured to roam. After standing atop Macdui,
return via Shelter Stone rock, Cairn Gorm and Fiacaill a’ Choire Chais.
Start/End // Cairngorm ski centre car park
Distance // 11-mile (18km) round trip
More info // www.munrocentral.co.uk
GRAN PARADISO, ITALY
An ascent of Italy’s highest peak (excluding Mont Blanc, which has its head and
one foot in France) begins with a hike through the country’s oldest National Park.
It’s not a super-technical climb, but you do require technical equipment (rope,
crampons, helmet, ice axe) and a guide if inexperienced in the mountains. The
path wends through woodlands before emerging from the trees and gaining height
via a series of steep switchbacks, washed by waterfalls and populated by
mischievous marmots. At the snowline at 8973ft (2735m) you reach Rifugio Vittorio
Emanuele II, your overnight nest. The hard hike to the 13,323ft (4061m) summit
begins under torchlight after a 4.30am breakfast. Several routes, one involving via
ferrata, lead to the top, where, attached to your guide/climbing buddy by an
umbilicus of rope, you squirm towards the apex of Italy and a meeting with
Madonna (Virgin Mary statue, not the pop star).
Start/End // Gran Paradiso National Park