The Valley-Finder
Don't know your Val Costeana from your Val Kilmer? You've come to the right place.
Place Names
These are the Italian, German and Slovenian names of the most important places on the Italian Front.
Avalanches on the Italian Front
It's very hard to get a precise handle on casualties caused by avalanches because preices figures were not collated. This is what I have found so far:
Mines on the Italian Front
The most significant mines on the Italian Front.
Kit Lists
Stuff I've used, and recommend.
Cycling:
Road Bike
Spin Spitfire MkIII titanium race bike (2012)
Campagnolo Chorus gears (22 speed, 50/34 compact chainset, 12-29 cassette)
H Plus Son Archetype aluminium wheel rims (with 24/28 Sapim CX Ray spokes on Chris King R45 hubs)
Continental 4 Season 25mm tubed tyres.
Shimano MTB/Touring SPD pedals.
Electric-Assist Mountain Bike
Cube Stereo Hybrid 140S
Full-suspension, 140mm travel
Bosch CX motor (85nm) with 750w/h battery
12-speed Shimano Deore/XT
Shimano hydraulic disc brakes with 4-piston calipers
Pirelli Scorpion tyres, tubeless, 2.6 x 29
Luggage
Apidura Bar bag (medium)
Apidura Saddlebag (medium)
Kriega backpack (14 litre)
Kit
Drinks bidons 500ml x 2
Tools, spares, puncture repair kit
Energy bars & gels (Cliff & SiS)
Bike lights (Lezyne)
Bike sat-nav computer (Garmin 830)
Helmet (Giro)
Cycling shoes (Sidi)
Cycling bib-shorts (Assos)
Short Sleeve base layer (Rapha)
SS jersey (Rapha)
LS jersey (Rapha)
Waterproof jacket (Castelli)
Arm-warmers (Castelli)
Leg-warmers (Castelli)
Cycling cap
“Civilian” (non-cycling) trousers
Civy LS t-shirt
Civy boxers + socks
Trainers
Hiking:
Backpack + dry-bags (25 - 32 litre)
Head torch + spare batteries (Black Diamond)
Trekking poles (Black Diamond, folding)
Multitool (Gerber)
750ml water bottle
2.5 litre hydration bladder
Energy gels & bars (Cliff & SiS)
Walking boots (Meindl)
Waterproof shell jacket (Arc’teryx)
Long Sleeve fleece mid layer (Rapha)
Long Sleeve base layer (Rapha)
Wicking t-shirt (Arc’teryx)
Seamless boxers (Runderwear)
Civy LS t-shirt
Civy lightweight trousers
Walking socks
Civy socks
Convertible hiking trousers (North Face)
Base layer trousers (Rab)
Gaiters (Mountain Equipment)
Emergency bivvy bag
Waterproof over-trousers (Rab)
Warm gloves
Toiletries + meds + earplugs
First-aid kit
Microfibre towel (small)
Travel wash
Sleeping bag liner
Brimmed hat (Tilly, obvs)
Smart-phone (loaded with OutdoorActive app and routes) + lanyard
Leads, adapter & chargers
Power bank
Sony RX100 III compact digital camera
DJI Drone + controller + batteries
Maps (see separate list) and compass
Spare bootlace, duct tape, bulldog clip & zip-ties
Additional Kit for High Altitude Hiking/Via Ferrata/Climbing:
Climbing helmet (Black Diamond)
Beanie under-helmet hat (Mamut)
10-point crampons (Petzl)
Ice axe (Petzl)
Climbing harness (Petzl)
Ferrata lanyards (Petzl)
Ferrata gloves (Edlrid)
60cm + 120cm slings
2 x Screw-gate carabiners
40m x 8mm walking rope (Beale)
Belay device
Approach shoes (La Sportiva, FX4s)
Snowshoes (MSR Ascent, 25”)
Historic Rifugi (mountain huts)
Many of the mountain rifugi were used during the war, and you can grab lunch or spend a night in these historically-charged buildings. Many have small "museums" of artefacts found nearby, and all will offer a delightful and memorable experience.
