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Cortina Dolomites Via Ferrata Hut Trek
References of prior guests: We will gladly put potential clients in touch with previous participants of each trip in order for interested guests to get more personalized references and their questions answered from a more objective point of view than what our office could provide.

2009:
"Kurt is a superb guide. He is a skilled professional, demonstrating the technical abilities, knowledge and the interpersonal skills it take to guide strangers in a new experience. He has patience and knew how to pace our days. When we signed up for the trip, I did not plan to attempt the via Ferrata. I thought we would hike and enjoy the scenery. Shortly after we began our first day, we were in climbing gear learning on an easy via Ferrata. Once we learned how to enjoy the steep climbs, it was a thrill. Gary thoroughly enjoyed it too, and is still smiling! Throughout our trip I felt safe and pleasantly pushed out of my comfort zone. We could not have done this without Kurt's expert guidance and coaching. He knows his way around the mountains and can easily handle situations that arise with grace.

The pre-trip information, including what to pack was extremely helpful. I appreciate the communications. While we were unsure who our guide was and the logistics just prior to leaving California, I understand how frantic it can be during the peak of your guiding season. It all worked out very well and we felt well informed and prepared - no surprises.

The itinerary was excellent. I liked the variety of terrain and different types of refugios. It was fun to meet and travel a bit with the other On Top group, too. The break in Cortina for one afternoon and evening was well planned for restocking and washing a few clothes. It is unfortunate that there is no laundry facilities in Cortina, although we were able to easily adapt. For some reason, I was not as enthralled with Rifugio Lagazoui, although it was in a stunning setting. The other rifugio's were "10s".

Excellent pre-trip information on travel logistics. all the taxi shuttles were well planned and well timed......."
Marlene Finley, California, USA

"Thomas is a great guide, very easy going and well suited to handle the varied personalities in the group. He has an abundance of patience! The group was great also…although varied in abilities and strengths, we all got along really well, which is a bonus in these situations. I don’t think everyone had the same idea about what the trip was going to be, which is human nature. The accommodations in Cortina were good and the huts were well above my expectations. The hut system in the US could definitely stand to upgrade. I felt more like I was in a hotel than a hut. The food was fantastic in the huts. I think it was actually easier to handle my special diet (no gluten) here than in restaurants at home"
Leslie H. Colorado, USA

"......I was very pleased with the Cortina Ferrata Hut Hike trip and with Martino as a guide. It all worked out super well and I would be happy to recommend, my itinerary, your company, and Martino.....".
Richard C, Madrid, Spain

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2009:
"........We had a great trip. Years ago Jorg had told me that I would like the Via Ferrata so I had wanted to do it for years. I am not sure how much our trip deviated from the standard one, I think just a little bit. One day we weren't able to do a via Ferrata due to the weather (when you're going is much more stable. We just hiked all day instead. Our guide Walter was Italian, and we absolutely loved him. Since he grew up in the area he knew a fair bit about the WW1 history, which was great because Paul is a big war history buff. The huts were great, as they always are. The huts on this trip were much nicer than the Swiss and French huts, though I love them all. The Italians really only built them where access was easier so they're nicer.

There's a fair bit of steep up and down, so the knees were pretty tired by the end. There's quite a bit of scree (loose stones) also, a bit more than I prefer, but I would do it again in a second. There's definately some pretty exposed parts, so I think in addition to being fit, you have to have to be mentally tough. Paul is a little afraid of heights, so it took a little getting used to, but he loved it as well and is already planning on going back.

I would highly recommend any of the trips I've done, and On Top Mountaineering for sure. I plan to do as many trips as money permits! I did alot of research when I first booked with Jorg, and his prices were very reasonable compared to what else I looked at. It was nerve racking trying to pick the right trip, location, and company. Now I wouldn't consider using someone else."
Sarah Rusby, CA, USA

".....Martino was a superb guide. At times I thought he was a little conservative in terms of what he thought we should do, but I understand that he had to consider the abilities of everybody in the group, and didn't want to split up the group. He was careful, friendly, knowledgeable and very competent.
The lodging and food were excellent -- a good mix of experience in the refugios, and the Villa Alpina was very nice.
The trip organization and communication worked very well. The itinerary was appropriate although I had hoped to include a few more exciting via ferrata that were excluded because of the weather and abilities of those on the trip.
Transportation on the Cortina Express worked well......"
K Allen, CT, USA

2007:
"Thomas was a fantastic guide: knowledgeable, encouraging, open, patient, humorous and an incredibly nice guy.
The lodging and food was terrific, but diverse, at each place - this should be viewed as very positive as it gave us a richer and more rewarding experience..."
Andrew C., Australia  

"The lodges were very nice with plentiful food. I can't say that I was fond of the "dorm" accommodations, and two nights of that was pushing the limit for me..."
Nichole K., CA, USA

"Franz was among the best guides we have had on our hikes in many parts of the world. He has a great store of knowledge and he managed a group of people with different abilities extremely well..." Margaret B., Australia

"We loved the ferratas and am seriously thinking of going back in 08 to do some more.
Huts:great lodging, though the diet is more carnivore than veg. I was warned, but the guides went out of their way to see that I was looked after...." Tim G., Australia  

"Thoroughly enjoyed the trip and found the guides exceptionally nice and social..." Stacey K., Australia

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"I thought both Christoph and Gudrun were terrific as guides.   Skilled, cautious, attentive, and good attitudes.   In particular, I laude them for making sure I could participate in the trip despite the fact my climbing gear and clothing never arrived..." Laura G., CA, USA

" I was very impressed by the food in particular!  Ok, the steak at the Lavarella was rather leathery, but that's about it - the pasta was great and the sleeping and showering accommodations were excellent.  The Lagazuoi had quite an elegant meal, and good sleeping accommodations.  The Savio hut food was phenomenal.  Admittedly the sleeping accommodations there were spartan, to say the least, but it was a good bonding experience :)  .." Tim S., BC, Canada

"Walter was great!   He customized the trip to fit the weather and our abilities.   He was very informative of the gear, techniques and mountain areas, always concerned with our safety especially on the snow and ice we had. .." Judy E., MA , USA

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