The Salt way: from Liguria to Piedmont following old trails. Italy
On 3 and 4 July 2004, our association has organized a 'trip of two days on the Via del Sale, in total over 100 km. Off Road, with departure and arrival from Ventimiglia to Limone Piemonte. The organization, given the high number of participants, over 30, was deployed for the event three vehicles Pick Up service, equipped with office furniture and equipment for complete recovery disincaglio and media, with 5 companions.
Given the good weather, the gathering was held near the beach of Ventimiglia, where participants were able to freshen up before facing the tracks that climb in the Alps which divide Italy from France, perhaps not even have to refresh ... .. we found even the snow !!!!!! The group is very complete, there are very young, youth, adults and senior Kelly plus dog mascot of the group and his lover, the Duke Carlino. 12:00 am starting from the sea to reach the refuge, which at our arrival was immediately enveloped by fog, the temperature is cool, but the coffee is not bad. After the brief stop at the refuge, you put the wheels on the dirt, the trail is a narrow path that deals with great difficulties. A strong climb, very uneven, requires the inclusion of rates for those with less horses, since here you have to pay attention to the edge of the road overlooking dizzying heights. Climbing at altitude, after twenty km., It comes to former barracks of the Alpini. Are about 16.30 and some sunshine peeping. Before preparing the field means you feel, because tomorrow there will be many difficult passages. The area looks like a real gym for our RIDERS, there are steep slopes and fraught climbs, motors and horses neighing scalpitano great. Plant the tents for the night and, of course, the wind gets up and suddenly it changes the temperature. Most young people are awarded the role of "lumberjacks" and start looking for firewood for the already dry chop.
19.00 we start to prepare for large brazier because there are 35 kg of meat to be cooked! The "forest" is back, the now veteran Luke has led even the helmet prevention ... ... the load of wood is plentiful. It lights the fire and in short a nice grill is ready, prepare the grids, it prepares the table and are eating meat grilled with appetizing sauce, all flanked by rivers of Barbera, table service made by the waiter to Sala "Manuel. We need a good coffee, but coffee machines are few and then we can digest all the mythical Booka (grappa Tunisia), the coffee liqueur, Prosecco Grappa and Sambuca. Attracted by the scent of our barbecue and the noise that you were doing, join us for "neighbors" camped on the plain below they also have a faithful friend, a beautiful Dobermann who willingly socialize. The evening concludes with some hints of "Ciucca" teetotalers and some cold, but certainly all more than satisfied and happy. The night is long and happens in camp all the little Russian Duke almost as a Great Bear, the most "small" that were initially excited to sleep in tents they sleep in cars, most of the men, who for the spare figuracce avoid appoint, make noises ... ... "explosive" and always in the background the bells of the sheep that wander into the area. Having passed the night we made the money and unfortunately, Claudia and Valeria are not too good, probably too cold to have some 'disturbed. From reckless say that you can easily put in motion, and then at nine after breakfast and thorough decontamination of the area, taking away our waste, not just ... .. you again. We start with a downhill path, very dusty and uneven, with tight hairpin bends which require the means to operate longer at each curve, then the trail enters a dense forest. Here, the fund becomes, at times, smoother view in the shade is also a puddle of water, continue on rocky to emerge in the direction of Passo Saccarello a share in 2145 dominated by the statue of the Redeemer. The Redeemer overlooking a valley covered with wild azaleas, it's noon already and that some ray of sunshine comes out between the clouds decide to have lunch. I senjor are certainly the best equipped in the kitchen and prepare excellent coffee for all. It restarted and the path begins to be really challenging in many respects the steps are to measure the transit of the vehicle, the wheels left crawling against the rocks while the right edge approaching the runway looks, in some places, on the cliffs several hundred meters, but these offer unparalleled landscapes, nature here has been really generous. This is followed by the small, but steady pace, the crews are all very prepared, there are no hitches, even James, the novice cross-country vehicle, with his navigator, you are enjoying and is happy with his 200 three months, half made also available to the group for collecting waste (thanks). There are several stops for photos, for the shooting to stretch my legs and the legs of Kelly and Duke. We are proceeding towards Limone Piemonte and cross the karst area, the rock here has replaced the green, but the erosion of wind and water has worked so well to make it to our eyes an immense sculpture. We are always higher and the temperature is lowered further, in many places in fact all Mitsubishi, Toyota, Nissan, Daihatsu ... ... had to pass the test "snow", yes that is the case, there is still snow! ! Also here all promoted even Max rubberized sand ... ... is always the usual, now we know it, but also actually Morena his "mechanics" of confidence was a little 'worried. Claudio and Margaret are still a little back to film the transit of other off-road, but are not the only ones to watch, there is also a pair of very curious marmots notes that what is happening around itself. Claudio immediately shut off the engine of 'L200 ago and even shut down your noisy refrigerator at Margherita, so managed to immortalize this original "couple". E 'afternoon, we reach a small lake surrounded by beautiful azaleas wild inevitable. You go forward you need to get a lemon and to get there around 17:00 here we start the descent on the steep ski slopes that make us reach the bottom and fast asphalt that leads us home. Difficult to prove in this "two days" if they are outdated and not a few tensions accumulated in steps to measure straight across is downloaded in minutes.
WELL DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL
Margherita Fenello
www.rollersadventures.com