Postcards from the Piolets d'Or #1

The Dolomites, Trentino, San Martino di Castrozza could not have given us a better welcome. Yesterday the Piolets d'Or celebrations began and we reached the beautiful Malga Ces restaurant, just above the village, under a heavy snowfall. Cold outside, warm inside, a grand dinner awaited to break the ice and get to know those taking part in this year's prestigious international mountaineering award.

Then everyone hurtled down, careful not to slip on the white blanket of smooth crystals, to reach the Conference Halle and listen to Narci Simion - the expert Mountain Guide of the Aquile San Martino - present the short history of the mountaineering exploration of the Pale di San Martino. Almost too short, it must be said, because the historical excursus was fascinating and the climbs described were almost unbelievable, carried out on Cimon della Pala, Cima della Madonna, Sass d'Ortiga and all the other surrounding peaks.

The very same mountains masterfully explored in a fast and long day by Peter Moser a few years ago, documented in the award-winning film Pioneers that finished off this first evening. A promising prelude, which made it clear that the following day was going to be unmissable.