Weekend at the Malgonera bivouac

Service Description

Have you ever tried sleeping in a bivouac? A bivouac is a ‘home’ that is always open and available to hikers. Some are very basic, with just four walls and a roof to shelter from the elements, others are small red boxes clinging to the rock face, and others are almost like shelters, with many amenities. Spending the night in a place like this is a wonderful experience that you will never forget. The bivouac we are going to is in the latter category: it is large, with a stove and plenty of wood, mattresses and blankets, and even a bathroom! However, it is still a bivouac, and above all, it is winter! Running water is unlikely to be available, it will be cold when we arrive, and we will have to melt snow for drinking water. We will depart from Col di Prà, in the beautiful San Lucano Valley, and, wearing snowshoes, we will begin our guided excursion. The route will not be long, so we will have time to climb calmly while admiring the view. We will spend the afternoon in a spirit of sharing, dividing up the tasks and things to do, so as to make the hut even more welcoming and prepare for the night. Some will chop wood, others will light the fire, others will sweep and peel potatoes, and the afternoon will fly by with chatter and new friendships! To make the evening even more authentic, and to appreciate the spirit of sharing that the mountains (and bivouacking) teach us, dinner will be shared. The guide will buy food for everyone, but then everyone will take on the task of carrying something in their rucksack, we will cook together on the stove and then we can all eat together! On the second day, after tidying up and saying goodbye to the bivouac, we will climb a little further up to a pass, from where the view opens up onto the majestic Marmolada. (only if conditions allow) Why Malgonera? Why did I choose this particular bivouac among so many others? Bivouacs are emergency structures that should only be used in case of need, not for free holidays, parties or organised outings. Malgonera is more than a bivouac, it is a self-managed refuge where you can only stay overnight with the permission of the CAI, which keeps a calendar. This is why I chose this structure rather than a classic bivouac. The price is euros 90 and includes: accompaniment, accident insurance, shared dinner and breakfast. It does not include: a voluntary contribution towards the maintenance of the bivouac (minimum €10) or lunches and snacks.