TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Overnight at rifugios – mountain inns – where you’ll be high above the Ladin Valleys, and have an elevated perspective of these majestic mountains, with incredible vistas and photographic opportunities! 
• Hike and travel with like-minded photographers, where you will have plenty of time to compose and create your own marvelous images 
• Spend quality time studying current photography techniques as you shoot side-by-side with an established professional “camera artist” 
• Travel through the Dolomites from valley to valley, experiencing three different languages, cultures, and cuisines – Italian, Austrian, and Ladin – that make this region so unique

Long a favorite of photographers, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has recognized the uniqueness of the Dolomite Mountains and placed it under its protection. The weird towers and crags are favorite motifs for photographs, postcards, and paintings, though they also make a splendid backdrop for outdoor pursuits such as walking, climbing, and skiing.  Wild alpine meadows, deciduous and evergreen woods, high altitude lunar-like terrain soaring peaks, dramatic walls and towering heights alternate with the refined South Tyrolean towns of Val Gardena and Alta Badia and hidden delicious mountain inns that we encounter throughout our journey. And the colors! These majestic mountains are known for their elusive and ever changing palette – moving with the sun and sky and seasons for incredibly varied display of reflected light.

Our focus here will be sunset photography, capturing the dynamic colors the Dolomites offer each evening. Subjects we may touch upon include: panoramic capture, landscape design, high dynamic range imaging, travel and leisure photography, and determining the genre of your landscape image. We have assembled a team of world-class leaders who are sure to bring you to a heightened level of creative thinking and success with your digital photography! All levels of photographers are welcome, yet basic operating knowledge of your digital SLR camera is required. As a participant you must be prepared to hike on moderately difficult trails at altitude, while carrying your own camera gear and personal gear to overnigh t in a rifugio.

On this unique trip you have the opportunity to indulge your senses while photographing one of the world’s most scenic regions, the Italian Alps. Daily excursions will include walks through charming mountain villages and hikes on alpine trails to a few of the most spectacular vistas on Earth. Most days we’ll hike to new accommodation for the night, so throughout the trip you’ll be enchanted by a continuous stream of incredible new vistas from high atop these majestic mountains to photograph.  We’re sure you’ll never want to leave!

About Your Instructors and Guides

Randy Jay Braun  www.randyjaybraun.com
Randy refers to himself as a professional “camera-artist”. After graduating from Occidental College, Randy landed a job as a corporate photographer, but soon he realized his desire for more creative expression. Over the past twenty years, Randy has achieved success with his own fine-art photography gallery on the Pacific island of Maui, Hawaii. His classic images of the native Hawaiian people are widely published, and recognized worldwide. 

Recently, Randy has developed a passion for wilderness backpacking with his camera. In July 2010, Randy trekked through the Dolomite mountains. He fell in love with this photogenic region and vowed to return. During that excursion, his professional trail guide was Karin Pizzinini, also an avid photographer. During long discussions on the trail the two of them dreamed up the concept for this exact event!

Karin Pizzinini: Karin is a certified professional trail guide born and raised in a village named Colfosco, in the very heart of the Dolomites. This woman knows how to live! Karin is an accomplished parachuter, paraglider, and rock climber, and loves to explore the mountains in the winter on telemark skis. Karin produces television documentaries, teaches high-school science, has traveled the world, and loves to sing along with her guitar music! Her camera is ubiquitous. Recently, Karin started a small business teaching digital photography skills in her region. She speaks five languages, including Ladin, the historical native tongue in the Dolomites, and loves to share her personal insight with visiting guests. She says with her infectious smile, “I am happiest when I am touching the mountains”!

• INFORMATION REQUEST
  Ready to take the next step? Just complete and return our Trip Questionnaire, or contact us directly to plan your Dolomites adventure today!
  
  Check out our high definition videos in: SUMMER VIDEO GALLERY!
  
  

TRIP DETAILS

Length: 7 nights / 8 days*

Dates: 10-17 September 2012
View Group Departure Dates

Start / Finish:  Val Gardena / Val Gardena

Activity Level:  For anyone interested in photography that is in good and active physical health. As a participant you must be prepared to hike on moderately difficult trails while carrying your own camera gear and personal gear to overnight in a rifugio.

Cost: €2380 with minimum 8 members

Includes: Private transfers to/from Austria’s Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport (INN), accommodations as noted in the itinerary, meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), expert instruction with  internationally renowned photography instructor, local English speaking guide, local ground transportation, lifts and cable cars in the area, map of the area, local and medical evacuation insurance.

Single supplement (double room single use): €195
Room upgrade: on request (only in Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, and Livinallongo)

 

ITINERARY
Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of your guide.

Day 1 ~ Welcome!
Arrive at Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport (INN), transfer to Val Gardena in the Dolomites, Italy, and check into your hotel. Meet with your photographer guides for a trip briefing, followed by a welcome dinner.
D… Hotel in Val Gardena (4-Star) 

Day 2 ~ Val Gardena
We begin our trip with a warm-up hike in Val Gardena around the Stevia Massif. Hike to the Rifugio Juac (1,905m / 6,250'), across the Forcella S. Silvestro, to the Rifugio Stevia at 2,312m (7,585'), located in the Puez-Odle Natural Park. After lunch return to Selva through the Stevia Plateau, taking in beautiful views of the Sassolungo and Sella Massifs. Tonight will be our first night to photograph the sunset over the majestic Dolomites! (5 miles hiking, 747m / 2450' elevation gain/loss.)
B,D… Hotel in Val Gardena (4-Star)

Day 3 ~ Sassolungo – Sassopiatto Circumnavigation
Today begins our hut-to-hut quest for incredible photographs! We begin at Passo Sella (2,183m / 7,162'), hiking south across the grassy flowered hillsides. We’ll climb steadily past lazing cows to Focella Rodella (2,316m / 7,598'), where there are marvelous views – northwest to the terraces of the Sella Massif, and southeast to the Marmolada and Gran Vernel.

Continue northwest, where we encounter views of the evocative Cinque Dita formation directly ahead of us. Views are becoming more and more ample as we proceed, with the Cattinaccio southwest and the adjacent Sciliar to the west.  Summer farms precede a grassy ridge and saddle at the base of the vast Sassopiatto slab slope, occupied by a rifugio (2,300m / 7,546') where we will stay this night and witness the Dolomites ever changing hues as the sun dips below the horizon. (6 hours hiking.)
B,D… Rifugio 

Day 4 ~ Catinaccio Massif
The celebrated Dolomite group, the Catinaccio, derives its name from “large basin or bowl”, a reference to its innermost open shell-shaped formation. Its breathtaking rock spires and towers have naturally long attracted mountaineers, and provide breathtaking vistas and stunning photographic opportunities in varying light.

Today we hike towards the massif, passing by the Sela Palacia (2,230m / 7,316'), the Maso Stefina, and Laga Miravale. From here, traverse the Ciamp de Grevena plains to reach the Ciareloes Pass situated right under the Croda da Lago Massif. Ascend to our rifugio for the evening, situated high above the Antermoia Lake. (6 hours hiking.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 5 ~ Val di Fassa
Hike to Alba di Canazei in the Ladin valley of Val di Fassa.  In the Alba di Canazei, we descend for a long stretch, passing by the Val de Dona. At the hamlet of Fontanazzo, you can choose to take a bus or hike the rest of the way to Alba di Canazei.  Surrounded by the mountain tops of Colàc, Crepa Negra, and Cima Brunech in the Dolomites, Alba di Canazei offers many panoramic views of the Italian Alps and extraordinary photographic opportunities! (5 hours hiking.)
B,D… Hotel in Val di Fassa (3-Star)

Day 6 ~ Marmolada Glacier
Today’s fantastic route traverses under the impressive rock wall of the 3,342 meter (10,965') Marmolada, the highest point in the Dolomites. The route follows the Valle Ombretta (Valley of Shade), named for its proximity to the Marmolada and the towering Sasso Vernale, an imposing barrier that makes up the western extremity with Cime Ombretta. (3 hours hiking.)
B,D… Rifugio

Day 7 ~ Marmolada Glacier
Today we follow the Contrin Valley and ascend to Passo Ombretta (2,704m / 8,871') where the Marco dal Banco Bivouac is situated. Descend to an alpine rifugio for lunch. Continue to descend through lush green hillsides where you can observe playful marmots, who will undoubtedly alert you to their presence through shrill warning cries. Arrive at Malga Ombretta (1,904m / 6,247'), directly below Pizzo Serauta, and descend to the pastures of Malga Ciapela.
Transfer to Val Gardena for our last evening together in the Dolomites, surrounded by stunning natural surroundings.  (5 hours hiking.)
B,D… Hotel in Val Gardena (4-Star)

Day 8 ~ Depart
Breakfast and transfer to the Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport for departure.
B…