Dear All,

I am recently back from my annual holiday and just about dry after a thoroughly wet camping experience in Devon. The picture of my three young daughters on our flooded campsite tells the tale. Typically, the sun shone gloriously this morning as I returned to work!

Collett Family Camping

September Offers & the Spellbinding Enrosadira

It is a month till the end of our summer season and walkers on holiday with Collett’s continue to thrive on the trails of the Dolomites and Pyrenees. In September you can enjoy these magical mountains at their best. The late summer sun sits at a slightly lower angle in the sky and produces the perfect light, consequently attracting artists, photographers and, of course, walkers. The sunsets are spellbinding. Colossal rock faces glow rose-pink as if on fire. In the Dolomites this phenomenon is known as the ‘enrosadira’ and it brings a magical air to the valleys. It’s not too late to round off the summer with a mountain walking holiday. Collett’s offers a full and free programme of walks up to Saturday 25th September and you can see details of some late availability offers at the following links:
Dolomites – click here or Pyrenees – click here.

The 'Enrosadira' above Haus Valentin

Walking Break in Wensleydale, 17th -21st October

I am pleased to report that our August Walking Break in the Yorkshire Dales was another success. These walking breaks have quite a following and consequently our base in Leyburn, Eastfield Lodge, will host them far more regularly in 2011. Having said that, we have 3 rooms still available for our October Walking Break from Sunday 17th to Thursday 21st October, so contact Mike or Paula on 01969 623196 or paula@eastfieldlodge.co.uk if you are interested. The cost is £245 per person based on two people sharing a room. Each day after a hearty breakfast we will venture out on a magnificent day walk of an intermediate/hard grade, each one amongst the best in the area. After the walks there is time to relax in the hospitable atmosphere and comfort of Eastfield Lodge. The price includes bed, breakfast, informal supper (Sunday), packed lunches (Monday and Tuesday) and three course dinner (Monday and Wednesday). Guests eat out on the Tuesday evening and have a pub lunch during Wednesday’s walk at their own expense. There are some photographs of the August walking break here.

October Walking Break Eastfield Lodge

Win a Holiday for 4 in the Dolomites or Pyrenees in Summer 2011

It is still possible for you to win an unforgettable 7 day summer holiday in 2011 for 4 people in either the Dolomites or the Pyrenees by entering our prize draw, with runners-up winning walking breaks in the Yorkshire Dales. Simply enter yourself and a walking friend into our prize draw. It’s easy and quick to do – just click here.

Ascent to Collado del Pacino in the Pyrenees

A New Home for Collett’s

After many happy years at our rural office in the Hertfordshire village of Great Hormead, Collett’s has moved a few miles along the road to the charming market town of Saffron Walden in Essex, where we have taken delightful offices overlooking the attractive market square. Everyone mucked in over a weekend in early August (thanks to Dave and Pol! Your skills were invaluable!) and the move turned out to be quite seamless with our resident techno-guru, Sam Chandler, taking care of all the complicated stuff, which meant we all had operational computers, emails and much more when we opened for business in the new premises. Well done and thank you, Sam! It’s a far cry from the tiny back room, in which we started our business back in the mid 1990’s. Our former contact details (postal and telephone) will still redirect to our new headquarters, but our new address and telephone number is below. Do drop by if you ever find yourself in Saffron Walden.

Colletts new home in Saffron Walden

Our new address is:
Collett’s Mountain Holidays
3a Market Hill
Saffron Walden
Essex
CB10 1HQ
Tel. 01799 513331

January Offers for Skiing, Snowshoeing & Winter Walking

We have a few offers for winter bookers in early January, which might be of interest. If so, click here

Collett’s Blog

I am not the most active ‘blogger’ myself but Sam Chandler tells me Collett’s Mountain Holidays has seen many new subscribers to its blog for Summer 2010, which is good news. Click here for more details and to sign up. You can expect weekly updates from our Walkers and Climbers with pictures, videos, walking reports and more. Furthermore, you can become a fan(?!) of Collett’s on facebook here.

A Collett’s Wedding!

A ‘Collett’s’ wedding took place on 24th July. Lisa Brownlow, who has worked full time for Collett’s for several years, married Peter Critchlow, who did at least three seasons for us as a Via Ferrata organiser. It was a wonderful wedding and Lisa was a radiant and stunning bride. Pete scrubbed up quite nicely too! The celebrations were happy and energetic, taking place in a marquee at our old offices. Inevitably, the occasion brought together many former colleagues and we danced, laughed, smiled, drank and talked till the early hours before retiring to tents, bride and groom included! So congratulations to Lisa and Pete and best wishes for a long and happy life together….. and for those of you who correspond regularly with Lisa, don’t be confused if you now hear from a Mrs Lisa Critchlow when you were actually expecting a Miss Lisa Brownlow.

Lisa & Pete Critchlow

Don’t forget to enter our prize draw! We wish you luck!

Best regards in the meantime,

Tom Collett – admin@colletts.co.uk – 01799 513331

The fine weather has kept up for the last week of August and looks set to continue well into September, typically the most settled month of the summer.

The blazing sun meant that John was able to swim in lakes on all of his walks last week – Lac de Pombie on the Pic de Peyreget circuit in the shadow of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, Lac Bersau on the Ayous Lakes Circuit, El Salto del Agua on the Ibones Anayet walk and Embalse Bachimana which we were assured was the coldest of the lot – not surprising given its size and altitude of 2200 metres!

Cooling off in the Pyrenees

August also saw many of our guests trying other adventurous activities. Canyoning, Via Feratta, horse riding, mountain biking and kayaking are all available near to Panticosa and John, Anne and Matthew managed to fit them all in during their two week stay – along with some fantastic walking of course.

Canyoning at Gorgol in the Pyrenees

Canyoning at Gorgol

Panticosa (from above!)

All the staff here in Panticosa are looking forward to a busy September but can’t believe the season is coming to an end so soon.  We’ll keep you updated on our final adventures in the next few weeks.

Pic du Midi

Valle de Yenefrito - walking in the Pyrenees

Skeleton of World War I soldier found buried in glacier on Italian ski resort | Mail Online.

An amateur historian has discovered the mummified body of a World War I solider frozen into an Italian glacier.

Dino De Bernardin made the grim find as he walked in mountains close to his home, which had been the scene of bitter fighting between Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops between 1915 and 1917. – Nick Pisa

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1306109/Skeleton-World-War-I-soldier-buried-glacier-Italian-ski-resort.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0xifBq1Vc

October Walking Break Eastfield Lodge

Sunday 19th to Thursday 23rd October – Only 3 rooms left (space for 6 people)

Mike and Paula Chadderton invite you to beautiful Wensleydale for a Walking Break in the Yorkshire Dales. Spend four nights at Eastfield Lodge, Collett’s charming guesthouse just 250 yards from the picturesque market square of Leyburn, the principal town of Wensleydale and gateway to the Dales National Park.

October Walking Break from Eastfield Lodge

Each day after a hearty breakfast we will venture out on a magnificent day walk of an intermediate/hard grade, each one amongst the best in the area. After the walks there is time to relax in the hospitable atmosphere and comfort of Eastfield Lodge, where we have 9 delightful en suite bedrooms, a guest lounge and a spacious dining room.

Taking a break on a Walking Break from Eastfield Lodge

Sunday 17th October

Meet at Eastfield Lodge during the afternoon.
Pre-dinner drinks and canapés followed by an informal two course supper

Monday 18th October – Wednesday 20th October

Moderate – Hard walks in the Yorkshire Dales, these are yet to be arranged but will be different to previous breaks as we have a few returning guests booked already. For more details and a description of the possible walks please contact Mike & Paula on 01969 623196

Thursday 21st October

Depart at your leisure, anytime after breakfast.

Prices £245 per person (based on two people sharing a room)
£395 per person (where single occupancy is required) Price includes bed, breakfast, informal supper (Sunday), packed lunches (Monday and Tuesday) and three course dinner (Monday & Wednesday)

Interested? Contact Mike or Paula on 01969 623196 or email them at paula@eastfieldlodge.co.uk

We hope to hear from you soon

Kind regards

Tom Collett

Walking to Mucker

P.S. Win a holiday with Collett’s – It’s time to call on your walking friends! There’s not much time left!

Win the walking holiday of a lifetime in Summer 2011 for 4 people in the glorious Italian Dolomites or Pyrenees.

It’s easy and quick to partake, just visit… www.colletts.co.uk/winaholiday …and enter yourself and a walking friend into the prize draw. If you are drawn out of the hat, you and your nominated friend (plus 2 others) will enjoy a walking holiday amidst some of the world’s most beautiful mountain scenery. Full details of the prize draw can be found at the above website.

Fiesta season is upon us, with Escarilla and El Pueyo celebrating this weekend and the medieval festival in Jaca on the 25-26^th August. The Panticosa Fiesta got off to a good start last Friday, with a bouncy castle and entertainment for the children earlier in the evening, and live music in the village square later on. During the day (sometimes earlier than was strictly necessary!) a brass band serenaded the village, and we woke on Monday morning to find 3-foot-deep foam drifts!

On Thursday Sue, Kim and Diz made friends with a French dairy farmer on their way to the Refuge Pombie and came away with a present; a lump of seriously smelly cheese! The general opinion was that it tasted better than it smelt (Neil might disagree)!

Vulture spotting in the Pyrenees

Vulture sightings are on the increase; twice in the last week we’ve managed to get within 20m of a committee of vultures as they feasted on a cow carcass!

At the Breche du Roland

Last week’s instalment of Xtreme Wednesdays (our day off) started on Tuesday. After two fantastic walks with guests along Ordesa’s Fajas de Petazals and Pelay, Blake, Kelly, Mary, Emily and Cam camped in Bujaruelo and set off early the following morning for the Breche de Roland.

The Breche de Roland

We summited Taillón (3144m) only an hour from the Breche and were treated to glorious views of the French and Spanish High Pyrenees, including Vignemale to the north, before continuing down to our second campsite; a beautiful, secluded plateau perched high above Ordesa in the Circo de Cotatuero.

The Ordesa Canyon from the Faja de Flores

On Thursday morning, we tackled the Faja de Flores, the highest natural balcony in Ordesa, just as the sun was rising and were treated to breathtaking views of the canyon from 2300m up. On our return to the carpark, Mary celebrated by jumping into the river to cool down! We owe a huge thank you to Tony and Jane for walking with guests on the Thursday!

Taking a break on the Faja de Pelay

Click here for Special Offers in the Dolomites…

Click here for Special offers in the the Pyrenees…

We currently have some special late deals available for Walking and Via Ferrata in the Dolomites and Walking Holidays in the Pyrenees!

The feeling in Panticosa at the moment is one of victory after Spain won the World Cup for the first time in 40 YEARS. Pia and Abelado, our wonderful hosts at Hotel Sabocos, showed the match in the hotel (of course!) so all the guests could be in on the action, and the village celebrations carried on into the night.

Continuing the party theme, the Pirineos Sur Festival is currently being held in Sallent de Gallego and Lanuza, until Sunday. A celebration of world music, musicians and DJ’s from all over the world have come to play on the floating stage on the Lanuza reservoir.

The swimming pool is proving popular as the warm weather continues, and who could resist?!

The outdoor swimming pool at Panticosa in the Pyrenees

The irises are out in force at the moment, and can be seen on many of our popular walks including the Punta del Pacino, Ayous Lakes Circuit and the Lac du Peyreget.

Iris latifolia (English Iris) in the Pyrenees

Kelly and Hugh Walking on the Frontier Ridge in the Pyrenees

Last Sunday, Kelly, Emily and Hugh conquered the Frontier Ridge and combined it with a scramble (not the normal route!) up to the Anayet Lakes. On the Pico de Aneu, they found an obviously favourite perch for the Griffon Vultures, and managed to get within 20m of the birds before they took off and circled overhead. Possibly the closest encounter yet!

Griffon Vultures at the Pico de Aneu

A Griffon Vulture flying high at the Pico de Aneu

This was a week that was full of a diversity in experiences and hilarious exploits typical of a week with Collett’s. As often occurs in peak season, numbers have been high on Via Ferratas, with the shining sun offering delicious mountain days out for all.

Looking up at Via Ferrata Cirspitze 2A - Passo Gardena

‘Cirspitze (a 2B Via Ferrata) Monday’, as it has become colloquially known, became a group affair when the Corvara, Arabba & Pedraces teams join forces, producing a team of first time Via Ferrata enthusiasts and 5 Via Ferrata organisers. Counter intuitive to any preconceived ideas, the large numbers were not at all a hindrance, but an opportunity for a group of  individuals to help one another out within an abnormal situation. It really is amazing how a few hundred meters and a rather large vertical drop brings people together!

At the start of Via Ferrata Cirspitze 2A

The bridge on Via Ferrata della Trincee above Arabba

Thursday heralded a new day for many of these once first time Via Ferrata enthusiasts, with a group of brave souls (after one of two easier routes on previous days) puckering up the courage to attempt Trincee (4B Via Ferrata, out of Arabba), which was arranged by Via Ferrata organisers Freya and Chris. After the somewhat tricky first 150 meters of this historic and exposed slab of volcanic rock, the group split into two groups of differing speeds. Both groups enjoyed the day immensely, with myself and Freya reveling in the hilarious antics of one particular Liverpool based guest who kept the group bent over laughing during times of possible peril. Both groups met near the end of the route and enjoyed a swift instant coffee from an authentic Italian coffee machine (apparently the best coffee machine coffee in the world) before riding the Porta Vescovo cable car home to a cool beer, a hearty meal and a warm bed.

WWI Barracks on Via Ferrata Della Trincee
Translates to 'Way of the Trenches' and today still has many ruins and remains left over from the first world war.

Other than outdoor adventures upon precarious mountain peaks, more and more walks are being added to our program every week, with three walks now leaving Corvara on most days. The protected path of Munt de Ghardinacia (from Predraces on the Puez Odle Massif), and the scenic walk of Nuvolau (near Cinque Torre) have been highly praised by all those partaking in the walks.

Wildflower Walks at Cinque Torre on the Falzarego Pass

Of the fauna and flora, the wildflowers continue to be replaced by new  and differing species. Fire lilies have replaced the white wild carrots on the hill sides, with the infamous devils claw beginning to flower atop crags frequented by everyone’s favorite bird, the Alpine Chough. The local Marmot populations are also become more and more erratic in their activities, with squeaks and squawks being emitted at irregular intervals. And on that note, the Marmots have not been the only thing squeaking and squawking over the past week. The annual jazz festival has come out of hibernation and into the spot light, with live acts listened to by keen ears every night this week. A notably brilliant performance was seen in the “P Funk Band”, a marching band of dancing musicians whose enthusiasm for their craft diffused through the crowd, resulting in a barrage of extremely bad dancing, but also a lot of fun.

Devil's claw - Physoplexus comosum

So that was the week that was, finished for now until the week that will be in several days time.

Chris Gordon

Well, never mind walking, Via Ferrata-ing, painting or flower walks, this week has seen Alta Badia positively vibrating with live music! Haus Valentin guests and staff have been enjoying a festival this week celebrating 175 years of music in the Alta Badia, all taking place in a large beer tent just a stone’s throw away in San Leonardo.  The evenings’ entertainment (attracting locals and tourists alike, of all ages, some lederhosen clad and some not!) have so far included orchestras, blues bands and acoustic projects, with the grand finale kicking off at 6.30am (!) this Sunday with some good old oom-paa tunes….

Müjiga de Badia - see www.mujigabadia.it

Meanwhile the annual Alta Badia jazz festival is well under way, and on Thursday night HV staff Jenny, Al and Anna found themselves being very happily swept along in a jigging crowd following the fantastic marching ‘P-Funking’ band on the streets of Corvara. An assortment of 15 men with brass instruments and drums all playing, marching and dancing at the same time: certainly not traditional but definitely great fun.

Taking a break from walking on the Viel dal pan

But back to the serious stuff …with fine weather for several weeks now and only the most stubborn patches of snow remaining some great high level walks have been going out, including Sas De Putia (a new one for us this season), Giro De Tofana De Rozes (one of my favourites!) and Croda Dal Lago….all circular walks around very different but equally spectacular mountains.

Anna's Dad walking on the Veil dal Pan with Civetta (3,220m) behind

The Veil Dal Pan walk with stunning views of the Marmolada was enjoyed so much by all that what was supposed to be an ‘easy’ walk turned into a 6-hour one with us all deciding that we’d ‘just like to see what’s round the next corner’ – and the next!

Horse Riding in the Dolomites for Lynne's Birthday

On the Via Ferrata front, several guests over the last few weeks have joined organised groups to tackle their first ever VF, Cirspitze (grade 2a), and came back buzzing and eager for more.  Al returned from Michelli Strobel (grade 3b) on Thursday with the obligatory fine layer of dust all over him and his rucksack – an unavoidable side-effect of descending via an enormous scree slope!  Whether or not some staff are able to walk or climb without a cowboy swagger this week remains to be seen….six of us went for a two hour horse trek in the lovely Lungiaru valley to celebrate Lynne’s birthday on Wednesday and some were suffering the saddle-related consequences.

Wildflowers in the Alta Badia above Pedraces Badia

On a wildflower walk near Pedraces and Corvara

The wild flower presentations on Friday nights have been proving very popular so far this season (thank you Flower People!) – Friday night also happens to be cocktail night in the Haus Valentin bar (could there be a correlation between wild flower enthusiasts and cocktails?!) and the staff are gradually perfecting the art of cocktail making, though apologies to guests who may have been lightly sprayed by exploding cocktail shakers recently…… A safer alternative was quiz night, this week taking place outside on the terrace at dusk which meant occasional contributions from the chalet owners who were on their balcony above (no, Rainer, the answer isn’t ‘Harry Potter’ to ANY of the questions).

The 'Enrosadira' above Haus Valentin & Pedraces

Until the next blog we’ll say ciao as it’s about time that we sat down with some cappuccini and set about devising a programme of walks for the coming week – a very enjoyable task given the endless possibilities!

P.S We’d like to follow Arabba’s lead by saying thank you for the lovely cards sent by guests who’ve stayed at Haus Valentin recently (one anonymous, but we know who you are!), and also for the amazing box of sweets and choccies!

Anna

Sunday 19th to Thursday 23rd September

Mike and Paula Chadderton invite you to beautiful Wensleydale for a Walking Break in the Yorkshire Dales. Spend four nights at Eastfield Lodge, Collett’s charming guesthouse just 250 yards from the picturesque market square of Leyburn, the principal town of Wensleydale and gateway to the Dales National Park.

Each day after a hearty breakfast we will venture out on a magnificent day walk of an intermediate/hard grade, each one amongst the best in the area. After the walks there is time to relax in the hospitable atmosphere and comfort of Eastfield Lodge, where we have 9 delightful en suite bedrooms, a guest lounge and a spacious dining room.

Walking breaks in the Yorkshire Dales

Sunday 19th September

Meet at Eastfield Lodge during the afternoon.
Pre-dinner drinks and canapés followed by an informal two course supper

Monday 20th September – Carperby, Castle Bolton from Aysgarth

Gentle gradients and outstanding 360? views. Height gain is 350m. Distance 10 miles.
Packed lunch included. Evening – three course dinner with wine at Eastfield Lodge.

Tuesday 21st September – Melbecks Moor and Surrender Bridge

Contrasting scenery from woodland and limestone scars to the dramatic landscape of the old lead mining industry. Height gain 550m. Distance 9 miles.
Packed lunch included. Evening – we will book a large table(s) in a local pub and have a pub meal together (pay individually) or if you prefer, eat out independently. (We would be happy to book you into one of many excellent pub restaurants in the area.)

Wednesday 22nd September – Cray and Scar House

A walk along the Dales Way with splendid views of Upper Wharfdale. The walk starts and finishes in the village of Starbotton. Height gain 350m. Distance 9 miles.
Pub Lunch in a traditional Dales pub – pay individually. Evening – three course dinner with wine at Eastfield Lodge.

Thursday 23rd September Depart at your leisure, anytime after breakfast.

Prices £245 per person (based on two people sharing a room)
£395 per person (where single occupancy is required) Price includes bed, breakfast, informal supper (Sunday), packed lunches (Monday and Tuesday) and three course dinner (Monday & Wednesday)

Interested? Contact Mike or Paula on 01969 623196 or email them at paula@eastfieldlodge.co.uk

We hope to hear from you soon

Kind regards

Tom Collett

Walking to Mucker

P.S. Win a holiday with Collett’s – It’s time to call on your walking friends!

Win the walking holiday of a lifetime in Summer 2011 for 4 people in the glorious Italian Dolomites or Pyrenees.

It’s easy and quick to partake, just visit… www.colletts.co.uk/winaholiday …and enter yourself and a walking friend into the prize draw. If you are drawn out of the hat, you and your nominated friend (plus 2 others) will enjoy a walking holiday amidst some of the world’s most beautiful mountain scenery. Full details of the prize draw can be found at the above website.

Collett’s Mountain Holidays Blog! New for Summer 2010

Collett’s Mountain Holidays is relaunching our blog for the start of Summer 2010 – click here for more details. Expect weekly updates from our Organisers in the Italian Dolomites and Pyrenees with pictures, videos walking reports and more…