Window Seat Alpinism

My flight from between Munich and Salzburg over the Alps and Dolomites to Venice.

I've been a dedicated WSA (Window Seat Alpinist) for a long time. High peaks can be really dangerous if you actually ascend them. As an elderly gentleman my legs and lungs are not what they used to be. When actually trying to climb the Alps, I shake like maracas and breath harder than Darth Vader. So I figured the most comfy way to enjoy mountains is shooting away pics from a plane.

A couple weeks ago I flew from Helsinki to Venice for the first time ever. Although I have been to Venice and travelled around Northern Italy quite extensively, I have never flown to Venice nor seen the Dolomites with my own eyes before. I had better do it now, when I can still see something.

It was the usual 3-hour morning flight. I slept the first two hours and woke up when the captain announced we were flying over Bavaria, between Munich (Germany) and Salzburg (Austria). The weather was unstable with clouds, but still ok for taking photographs.

I felt happy and lucky now with my window seat in the front. At check-in my iPhone Passbook had been assigned the seat passengers avoid like the plague: by an emergency exit door! Unfortunately that was the only seat left.

However I didn't panic. I was going to perform an old WSA-trick. There are usually always some free seats available just before boarding. At the gate I approached the desk and enquired about changing seats. And yippie-kay-yay, a new boarding pass with 3A window seat was printed for me at once! Thank you Finnair!

Ladies and gentlemen, without any further ado, let's present the photos now.

It's cloudy but ok. Looking East. It's about 9am CET.

Lake Chiemsee, Herreninsel Island and Chiemgau Alps in Bavaria, Germany.

Chiemgauer100.de will take place around here on July 25-27, 2014.

Eastern Alps in Salzburg area, Austria.

Kaiser mountains in Northern Limestone Alps, Austria.

These peaks are just above 2000m.

Durlassboden reservoir at 1405m on Tyrol/Salzburg border in Zillertal valley. Gerloser Seelauf run race goes around it.

Zillertal Alps, Austria.

Moving on to Italy.

Dolomites ahead!

This is Dolomites for sure.

Typical Dolomites scenery.

Ok the show is over folks. Landing in Venice soon.

Lavaredo Ultra Trail 2014: The Good, the Bad and Trailplodder

Lavaredo Ultra Trail starts at 11pm on Friday. Just before the countdown they play The Ecstasy of Gold by Ennio Morricone. This reminds us that we will be running around the Dolomites a bit like Tuco in the movie The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. As it happens, the actor Eli Wallach (1915-2014) died just three days before the race. RIP.



Lavaredo is a unique ultra trail race. In many ways it's different and perhaps in it's own special way better than other races. Instead of a boring race report, let's just describe what was good, bad and ugly in my experience during the 2014 race.

The Good

The race course is spectacular. I've included some photos below. It looks much more impressive in real life. The weather is usually pleasant this time of the year, not too hot or cold. Also the race organization and volunteers are superb. The course has a lot of variation to it and numerous stream and snow crossings add to the fun. It progressively gets more technical and challenging towards the end. In 2009 Dolomites were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Bad

Nothing really bad in this department, but I must mention that it rained quite often during the week. It also rained during the race, but most of it happened after the top runners had finished. Anyway I'd have preferred slightly less wet and muddy conditions. As the water level was relatively high, a few river crossings required immersing your feet in a mountain stream up to your knees. Especially the last 15km included particularly difficult muddy downhill sections. No doubt the fact that it was dark again at this point added to the challenge.

The Ugly

I managed to sprain my left ankle in a downhill after only about 30km. Unlike 'white' Finnish summer nights, it's pitch dark in Italy. Although my headlamp was ok, there was some fog and I stepped on something which caused my ankle to roll. My thick-soled Hoka Stinson Trails probably contributed to the accident. The reason for selecting them was that I wanted the extra cushioning to help my recovery for Eiger Ultra Trail three weeks later. After twisting my ankle I slowed down considerably, but never even considered quitting. Fortunately the cut-off times in this race are very generous, so I was never closer than three hours from the limit. The rest of the journey I kept on amusing myself by exclaiming "Let's roll" or "I'm on a roll" - that sort of humor seems to work well when totally exhausted :-)

My race bib and t-shirt.

The race HQ at Cortina Olympic Ice Stadium.

The start in Cortina at 11pm on Friday.

Lago di Misurina at dawn after running 42km.

Lago di Misurina.

Rifugio Auronzo at 48km: a place to enjoy a meal, your drop bag and an espresso!

The highest point of the course. Lots of snow.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

This year the route followed the West (normally East) side of Lado di Landro.

Rifugio Col Gallina aid station at 95km.

Ponte Outo sign tells the story.

A view from Ponte Outo.

A view from Ponte Outo.

Val Travenanzes.

Crossing the finish line in 26:31:47.

The podium with top 3 men and women.

The winners of LUT 2014: Rory Bosio and Anton Krupicka.

The North Face Store in Cortina.

Hoka One One Stinson Trail 2014 aka Ankle Twisters.

Tofana di Mezzo 3244m.

Here's a funny little video I shot at the Awards Ceremony.


And here's a great official video about the race.