Discover Brenta Dolomites 2014

In summer 1864 the mountains were looked on as no-man’s-land, unexplored areas and white blobs on the map. English hikers-explorers were the first people to attempt to cross the Brenta Group, from Molveno to Madonna di Campiglio, and they were the pioneers of Alpine exploration in the Dolomites. This discovery was the start of tourism in the area and the key that opened the door to enjoying the mountains for recreation and nature study. That is why the main theme of the series of events planned will be following in their footsteps along the path of the first crossing and wondering if, 150 years later, there is anything left in our mountains to discover.

The events will include 3 photo exhibitions (15 June/18 August: photo exhibition "Molveno Passatopresente: cartoline storiche da Molveno e dal Brenta" (Molveno Past-Present: historical postcards from Molveno and Brenta), 20 postcards in 207x104 cm format, in Molveno town centre; 18 August/30 October: photo’ exhibition "Molveno Passatopresente: la scoperta del Brenta nelle foto di fine ‘800" (Molveno Past-Present: discovering Brenta in photos from the late 19th century), 18 large format 207x104 cm photos, in Molveno town centre; 22 July/1 August: photo exhibition "Il brenta visto da vicino" (a close-up of Brenta), Gymnasium of the Molvena primary school, 5 artists – 80 photos related to the Brenta Group a historical-documentary exhibition; (18 August/1 September: "1864-2014. Centocinquanta" (one hundred and fifty), Theme exhibition regarding the mountaineering discovery of the Dolomites, organised by the central SAT (Trento mountaineering association) – Gymnasium of the Molvena primary school); presentation of the book "Ad Est del Romanticism. 1876-1901, alpinisti vittoriani sulle Dolomiti (East of Romanticism - Victorian mountaineers on the Dolomites)" with the authors Riccardo De Carli and Fabrizio Torchio, and with Claudio Bassetti (President of the SAT), at the Molveno Palacongressi (convention centre), 21 August; and a mountaineering evening organised by Alessandro Beber, entitled "Dolomiti di Brenta 2.0: L’alpinismo dolomitico non è finito: a 150 anni dalla scoperta del Gruppo di Brenta nuove prospettive di esplorazione" (Brenta Dolomites 2.0. Dolomitic mountaineering is not over: new prospects for exploration 150 years after the discovery of the Brenta Group), with original films and a discussion, at the Molveno Palacongressi, 28 August.

Nine excursions are planned, with Activity Trento Alpine guides and in cooperation with the Adamello Brenta Natural Park, to reach the Bocca di Brenta from Molveno following the traces of the first explorers – 10 July/24 July/7 August/21 August/4 September – and to reexperience the sensations of the crossing of the whole mountain group, offering an alternative to the historic trail and taking the route from Passo Grosté to Andalo through the Gaiada Pass and the Malga Spora – 18 July/1 August/15 August/29 August.

The programme will be rounded off by the celebrations of the centenary of the opening of the Pedrotti Hut on the Tosa (29 June, at the Pedrotti Hut) with the Suoni delle Dolomiti (sounds of the Dolomites) (4 August at the Pedrotti Hut at 2 p.m., with Mario Brunello, Isabelle Faust and Danusha Waskiewicz) and the rievocazione storica della prima traversata (historical re-enactment of the first crossing) of the Brenta, which will be held on 22 July, with simultaneous departures from both Molveno and Madonna di Campiglio and with celebrations at the Bocca di Brenta. For this occasion the historic route of the first crossing, from Molveno to the Brentei Hut, will be restored and marked out.

Lastly, for an ideal link between exploration of the past and that of the future, the DoloMitiche 2.0 – "Brenta Base Camp"; Nuove vie per vecchie pareti (new tracks for old faces) will be organised between 28 July and 6 August and will consist of opening a series of new rock-climbing routes on the peaks-symbols of the Brenta Dolomites, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the start of mountaineering in the Group. In particular, Alessandro Beber will create a trilogy (three new tracks on three different faces) in a single combination, almost like a little expedition. The base camp will be located near the Pedrotti Hut, which will become the hub of the initiative. This structure was chosen for a particular reason: for more than a century now the hut has been the favourite foothold on the Alps for mountaineers and hikers, and the camp means to stress the positive aspects of the social interaction and aggregation that are created here, enriching the mountaineering experience: in short, to communicate the pleasure of shared mountaineering and its multiple aspects, which is much more than just a sports performance. The people staying at the hut can thus live side by side for 10 days with today’s protagonists of Dolimitic exploration, compete with them and get a first-hand look at their exploits. The final aim is to make a documentary/film, which will be shown during the 2005 edition of the Trento Mountain Film Festival.

The programme of events and happenings on the occasion of this anniversary is therefore not meant to be just a commemoration but is aimed at getting guests of the community and mountaineering and hiking enthusiasts personally involved. One hundred and fifty years later we shall follow in the footsteps of the first explorers, see the Brenta Group with our own eyes and realise that exploration is not finished. We shall experience the thrill of looking at unknown corners and share the experience of discovery with people that are still braving the unknown, drawing imaginary lines on the rock and creating works of art in the open air. The enchanted environment of the hut will be the setting for an exchange of experiences and an artistic performance.


>> DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME DISCOVER BRENTA DOLOMITES ESTATE 2014




Video: directed by Molveno Holiday 

For further informations:
APT Dolomiti Paganella, Ufficio di Molveno
Tel. +39 0461 586924; Fax +39 0461 586221
e-mail: infomolveno@visitdolomitipaganella.it

Web: www.dolomitimolveno.com
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Blog: discoverbrentadolomites.tumblr.com