Pizzo San Michele – loop hike in the Parco Regionale dei Monti Picentini

Beautiful and quite challenging excursion. We set off, @Aannunzi, @Roberto Marrapodi @Libero Abele and I, from the Acqua Carpegna area and, following about 5 km of T2 paths, we arrived near the Varco della Teglia, overcoming a non-trivial difference in altitude of about 500 m. At this point we crossed the Alta via dei Monti Picentini Occidentali which we followed towards Pizzo San Michele, for 2.4 km, on a path classified T4. Very technical terrain along the ridge made even more treacherous by wet and slippery leaves, with forced passages between rocks and exposed points. Rather cold day (for us...) with 5°-6° at the top, annoying wind and a lot of humidity: along the route we walked among the clouds. Once we arrived at the Sanctuary of Pizzo San Michele the view was completely hidden by the mist, then magically, the strong wind freed part of the sky and we could see valleys and mountains illuminated by the sun. From Pizzo San Michele we then returned to Acqua Carpegna where we had parked the car. Excursion lasted five hours as planned. I am very satisfied because, despite the difficulty of the route, I managed to document it photographically in an almost complete way. I think the photos tell a good story about the journey and also its difficulties. Thanks to my friends with whom I shared this morning; without them I would never have ventured out. A note of merit for @Roberto Marrapodi who passed a remarkable test on his third excursion.