Dolomites:
Marmolada Summit Adventure
An Alpine Introduction to the Queen of the Dolomites
Alpine Mountaineering · Dolomites Expedition · June 18 – 23, 2026 · Alta Badia, Italy
Our Idea
Marmolada is the highest mountain in the Dolomites — 3,343 m of glacier and rock, and some of the last remaining ice in the range. Its glaciers are expected to disappear if melting continues at the current pace. We're climbing it before they do.
Six days in the Italian Dolomites with two IFMGA mountain guides. A via ferrata warm-up in Alta Badia, a night at the summit hut (the highest in the Dolomites), sunrise at 3,343 m, and a Grande farewell in the valley. Small group — 6 climbers — so it feels like friends on a trip, not a tour. No prior alpine experience needed.
P.S.: For those looking to add paragliding, climbing, spa days, or mountain biking, let us know — we have add-ons and local contacts we love.
The highest peak in the Dolomites — 3,343 m of glacier, rock, and the last remaining ice in the range
Two IFMGA guides · Six climbers · Via ferrata warm-up · Summit hut overnight
Sunrise above the clouds at Punta Penia, then a Michelin farewell in the valley
Prior alpine experience needed — you should be familiar with altitude
Day 1 – Arrival in Alta Badia
18 June 2026 · Land, settle in, and meet the people you're climbing with
Arrival in Colfosco
Make your way to Colfosco, Alta Badia, by late afternoon. Venice, Verona, Innsbruck, and Munich airports all work — we'll help coordinate shared rides.
Meet & Greet
Check into the hotel, pick up your Geeks Go Peaks kit, and meet your fellow adventurers. Evening briefing: weather outlook, week ahead, gear check.
Welcome Dinner
Traditional Tyrolean grill in Corvara. Warm wood interiors, 300+ wine labels, casual atmosphere. The right way to start a mountain trip.
Day 2 – Acclimatization in Alta Badia
19 June 2026 · Legs warmed up, elevation up to 2,600 m
Three hiking options depending on energy and ambition. All routes build altitude tolerance and let you see the Sella Group, Marmolada, and the valleys of Alta Badia from above.
Sassongher Circuit
Summit at 2,665 m with ridge views all the way. The classic Alta Badia high route.
Col Alto / Pralongià
Easier plateau walk. Great for those conserving energy for the summit push ahead.
Sassongher → Gardena → Frara
The long traverse — ~15 km. For those who want to earn the dinner.
📍 Purpose: Build altitude tolerance (hikes reach 2,000–2,600 m). Assess fitness. See the range you're about to climb from above.
Day 3 – Via Ferrata & Transfer to the Mountain
20 June 2026 · First real climbing day, then into position for the summit
Tridentina
From Passo Gardena. A classic Sella Group line with a famous suspension bridge and sustained exposure. Ends at Rifugio Pisciadù by a turquoise alpine lake.
Afternoon Transfer
Drive to Passo Fedaia (~1 hr). Check into Rifugio Castiglioni at 2,057 m.
Hut Dinner + Guide Briefing
Meet your IFMGA guides. Gear check. Route briefing for the summit. Early sleep.
Day 4 – Summit Day: Punta Penia, 3,343 m
21 June 2026 · Stand on the roof of the Dolomites, then sleep on it
1
Dawn Breakfast & Departure from Castiglioni
Path 606 up the moraine. Rope up on the Marmolada glacier — crampons, ice axe, harness.
2
The Glacier Crossing
Cross the crevasse fields, climb the roccette (equipped rock), and walk the Schena de Mul — the "back of the mule," the final ridge to the summit cross. +1,286 m of vertical.
3
Capanna Punta Penia
The highest hut in the Dolomites, anchored to the summit rock with steel tie rods. 6–9 shared bunks. No running water. No electricity. A wood stove, the wind in the walls, and the Alps from Austria to the Adriatic visible on a clear evening.
4
Hut Dinner, Then Silence
Simple mountain cooking — soup, pasta, polenta, strudel. Then sunset from the roof of the Dolomites. Then lights out.
Day 5 – Sunrise, Descent, and Farewell Feast
22 June 2026 · Come down, clean up, feast
1
🌅 Sunrise at 3,343 m
Above the clouds if we're lucky. The whole Eastern Alps in the morning light.
2
🧗 Descent
~3–4 hours back across the glacier and down the moraine to Passo Fedaia. Drive back to Alta Badia (~1 hr). Afternoon to shower, decompress, and change out of mountaineering boots.
3
🍷 Farewell Feast
TBA. Preparing something extraordinary for you
Day 6 – Departure
23 June 2026 · Go home, start planning the next one
Checkout from Colfosco. Transfers back to Venice, Verona, Innsbruck, or Munich airports, or onward to wherever you're going next.
🏔 Extending? For those staying on in the Dolomites — mountain biking, paragliding, climbing, or just more time in the valley — we're happy to point you in the right direction. The range has more to offer than one trip.
What's Included
Here's exactly what's covered and what isn't. No surprises.
✅ What's In
Guides — 2 IFMGA mountain guides for Marmolada summit days
Lodging — 4 nights Colfosco hotel + Rifugio Castiglioni + Capanna Punta Penia
Dinners — 5 group dinners including Michelin farewell
Breakfasts — Daily at hotel and huts
Transfers — Alta Badia ↔ Passo Falzarego / Passo Fedaia
Gear — Via ferrata kit, crampons, ice axe, helmet, harness
Insurance — Alpine rescue coverage for the duration
Swag — Geeks Go Peaks kit on arrival
❌ What's Not
Flights — Getting yourself to Italy
Ground Transfer to Colfosco — We'll help coordinate
Lunches — Usually at mountain rifugios, €15–30
Alcoholic Drinks — BYOB Geeks :)
Optional Activities — Available as add-ons
Pricing
1
Double Occupancy Adventure — €2,700
Accommodation for 1 climber in a shared hotel room + shared mountain hut bunks. All group meals, two IFMGA guides, transfers, gear rentals, full adventure program.
Deposit: €810 (30%)
2
Single Occupancy Adventure — €3,300
Private hotel room in Colfosco for valley nights. Hut nights remain shared — mountain huts don't do private. Everything else matches.
Deposit: €990 (30%)
⏰ Booking deadline: May 19, 2026. Package and add-on availability may change at any time.
Geeks Go Peaks · Dolomites — June 18 – 23, 2026