Il Dolce Far Niente: 2012

November 2013

Few weeks ago I published the first blog post about (very) short series of my favorite outdoor activities. The first post described about cycling. This time there's another great favorite, namely orienteering.

Using a map (in scale of 1:10 000 or similar) and a compass (optional) one try to navigate from point to point in a predefined route as quickly as possible. GPS devices not allowed.

In Nordic countries, Orienteering Clubs organise daily/weekly events (at least) during spring/summer/autumn months. Anyone can join and walk/run through a route (by usually paying a small amount).

Orienteering as a sport discipline is quite popular on Nordic countries and recent years it has increased its popularity in central Europe a lot. Orienteering is very much the whole family activity, too.

Orienteering is a good alternative for ordinary running. I cannot think any other activity where one has to concentrate fully on the activity itself, i.e. if you think about your work etc. while trying to figure out the fastest route to the point you'll most probably will not survive the route as optimally as possible, but circle here and there and will get angry against organisers about hiding points too much. A bit exaggerated though.

In orienteering it's about reading map and observing nature, observing alternative routes based on variety of terrain, hills vs. flat sections and dry vs. wet sections, and whats more, trying to figure out all the time where you are almost on any given second. Brains work like multicore processors calculating routes in nanoseconds, but humans make mistakes, and that's one of the best thing in orienteering (otherwise it would be too easy and not rewarding).

Perhaps the most important and most fascinating orienteering events are organised every year in Sweden and in Finland. In former, every spring there's a team relay event called Tiomila. In latter, every summer there's a team relay event called Jukolan Viesti. Media follows top athletes on these races closely on live, which is surely interesting, too. However, great thing there is that just ordinary hobbyists can join the very same relay events with their own teams, run the same routes, and feel the same atmosphere as any top athlete. These events are magnificent to participate and to watch.

The following photos were taken on Jukolan Viesti event, during women's Venlojen Viesti, i.e. women's relay event in Southern Finland.

Photos

Anna-Maija Fincke (FIN) on top

Vroni König-Salmi not too far behind

Bäkkelagets (NOR) and Lidingö (SWE) teams are all-time favorites

Waiting time on exchange area can be long

Warming up area before exchange

Thousands of orienteers stay overnight on tents during the event

Top teams in peaceful harmony, I presume

Perfect running style, Heidi Östlid (NOR)

Finland's no 1, Minna Kauppi, one of the best ever in the world

Behind limelight are hundreds of enthusiasts living in their dream

Still smiling after giving everything

Speeding up, only 200 meters to go

I've never managed to raise my knees so high
on finishing line

Today's technology bring live GPS maps for spectators, superb!

TV and Radio commentators at work

When you get tired, getting control signed might take effort ...

... and sometimes it's so easy

Important skill: ability to read map and orienteer while running

Nervous face as a silly mistake behind, Natalia Vinogradova

Joy of winners, Halden SK (NOR)

Joy of runner-up, Paimion Rasti (FIN)

The best of all: Simone Niggli (CH)

Finishing line, giving everything

July 2012

Hot Saturday and was planning to visit a beautiful small village on Ticino mountains, which one often sees while travelling back on forth of Blenio valley. Namely Monte Greco, aka Muncrech in local dialect.

The village laid on the edge of the mountain sharing the same name, on about 1150m above the sea. Looking at it down from the valley it really looked like it's hanging there on the edge.

Society and active people have renovated a church in the village. Heard also that they've prepared hiking paths there (there's no car road for there, and hoping never would be).

Started my trip on foot from Motto village, further down on Valle di Blenio (about 400m above the sea). First walked via old railway path towards Malvagia, where the actual hiking path started. The Blenio valley indeed used to have a railway, at least up until Acquarossa (to my knowledge). All rails have been removed and ancient path is hardly in any use now.

Old railroad path followed near Brenno river, which had crystal clear water even on summer time (and bloody cold!) From north of Malvaglia took a trail from Rongie to Pontei. Some heavy climb in the beginning raised heartbeat well enough.

The trail climbed along heavy forest, having some old open fields here and there.

Pontei, a small village, was on the mouth of Malvaglia valley. An Orino river was somewhere down below. A group of people experienced canyoning in there. Followed the trail up till the old bridge, Ponti di Cane, and walked through the old bridge, to head further down the path up until the village of Cane. From Cane, started a renovated (or a new?) path towards Montegreco.

The trail was not easy to hike. There was still about 300m to go on vertical level. Crossing a small creek full of water was not the easiest task. There seemed to be more water than stepping stones were made for.

Wild strawberries interrupted the hike more often that shootings of photos. Sweaty but happy arrived on the open field which looked familiar, though seen it only down from the valley. Goats ate happily grass.

Sounds of building construction proved the village was not too far. When arrived, it was satisfying to see almost the whole Blenio valley. It did look gorgeous.

Fresh water, a small break and towards the newly renovated church (or a chapel?). Fine handcraft work, newly glass paintings, a bell. Things to see, including the view towards Biasca.

For returning chose another trail, which came straight down to Malvaglia, via a Prastinei and Piughei villages. Along the trail were destroyed old stone houses, probably caused by avalanche (winter or summer time). Some old oak trees looked noble and massive.

When arriving on the road which headed to Malvaglia valley, took a short cut to see an old Roman time bridge, Ponte Lau. Awesome looking old bridge. Orino river was somewhere far below.

Another shortcuts via vineyards to see Malvaglia church. It had old restored paintings on its walls. A bell tower graced the yard. Walked via the village and crossed the Brenno river, and walked via old trail towards Ludiano village.

Near Ludiano church grew Merlot grapes, which home made wine I've had privilege to drink several times (Salute!). There's a great Grotto in Ludiano, too (try risotto ai funghi).

Final view before the hike was over, an old San Pietro church in Motto (though another side of Brenno river). A masterpiece and renovated in good touch (well done Piero!).

Hard walk was behind, polenta with local dry sausage and cheese (with merlot) speeded up recovery from the heavy day (at least I was hoping so).

Ever since I see Montegreco, I look at it now on a different view than before, admiring people keeping it alive.