Osservatorio Astronomico Montereale Valcellina - Col Alto

Rainy weather this wek, but today a brief respite in the morning.  I decided to try to fit in two climbs close to home.  The first starts only 5 km from home, at Grizzo in Montereale Valcellina (311m).  From here a steepish climb up past Monte Spia to Val de la Roja, and then onward to end of pavement at the observatory (663m).  Didn't bring camera today, but there are pics here.

Rolled back down to Grizzo, and then cruised down to Pedemontane (155m) at Aviano.  There were thunderheads gathering around Piancavallo, but I decided to try the climb to Col Alto.  It was sunny and warm up to Rifugio Bornass (767m) but grew quite dark and nebulous by the time I reached Caldastia (1090m).  Still it wasn't raining so I turned off and took the alpine road toward Col Alto (1374m).  Almost made it all the way, but the mist kept getting thicker and eventually turned to a drizzling rain.  At 1240m about a kilometer and a half from the top I conceded and turned around.  The rain itself wasn't bad, but I knew I had a fast 15km descent and soaking wet clothes would not be good.

Back at Caldastia the rain stopped and the pavement was dry, so I enjoyed a fun descent.  The little climb from Pedemontane to home provided a nice opportunity to thaw out.  Again no fotos today, but you can see previous pics of the climb here.

My neighbor Silvano,  plotting to undermine my fitness program, arrived with a plate stacked high with home made galani (crostoli), thin and light and dusted with powdered sugar.  Yum!

Elevation of the climbs