Today I start at Pontassieve, crossing the 16th century bridge and followed the track of an ancient road, climbing amid Chianti vineyards, up to the village of Diacceto (460m). Over the next 5 days I generally will continue this uphill journey through vineyards and forests.

The views today were spectacular looking over vineyards and through forests towards the green mountains of the central Apennines. Although only 18km, it has an 1100m climb and some rough tracks. It was a bit tougher today as headed towards the first mountain pass of the route at Passo della Consuma (1050m)!

Better Preparation

After day 1’s ‘easy’ walk proved more challenging than expected, I was a bit concerned how much some of the harder days would be – the first one of which was today a ‘moderate’ walk to Passo Della Comsuma as it rises some 1100m over 18 km.

So last night I sent through the day pack and made some changes:-

1. Carry 3 litres of water not 4
2. Only carry one apple not 2.
3. Remove the 500ml of fuel
4. Remove the aluminium safety blacket
5. Remove the plastic plates and containers
6. Don’t carry the backup mobile phone
7. Change the way I have the Nikon tied to the pack

These changes must have saved 2+kg and made the pack a lot more stable. Combined with an earlier start and a cooler day this made a huge difference.

And Perhaps it was the traditional European breakfast that helped.

Did It Work

As the graph below shows the walk climbed significantly for most of the day – it averaged a 6% gradient. The most challenging was around 3:30 when the walking was up dirt and loose gravel trails in the forest. It was a bit tough but manageable.

The overall walk summarised by my Motion X app on the iPad. Click on View on Map and you can see the itinerary.

Date:		3 Oct 2017 9:02 am
Map: (valid until Apr 1, 2018)		View on Map
Distance:		19.0 kilometers
Elapsed Time:		5:50:22
Avg Speed:		3.3 km/h
Max Speed:		11.7 km/h
Avg Pace:		18′ 26″ per km
Min Altitude:		88 m
Max Altitude:		1,053 m

The biggest issue I had today is my right foot, the shoe is just a little too tight, it wasn’t a problem walking around Abu Dhabi but the effect of all the extra weight in the pack. I met a couple of other walkers and Jims feet were messy – So I will need to manage this to avoid blisters.

And now todays walk

No surprises here …. we begin with walking on a constant uphill track passing through olive groves, vineyards and beech and oak forests. It was very quiet with little traffic and other people. Nice cool day today around 22 degrees.

My day started at the popular Pasticceria Sonia grabbing a wonderful ‘snail’ for morning tea, a ham, cheese and fungi panini for lunch and a Cappucino for now.

As I climb the hills there were great views over the wineries. Castello di Nipozzano is an amazing building and a produces great Chianti. I have a bottle to drink over the next day or so.

After walking through vineyards and olice groves for 6km’s I reach a little place called Diacceto. It was a little early for the cafes to be open so I kept walking and heading towards Chiesa San Pietro in Ferrano. 

Just after the church I stopped boiled up a cup of tea, had my ‘snail’ and skyped Amanda and Jack who had just arrive back into Sydney. Better Skype reception than in Abu Dhabi.

The walk through the forests was continuously uphill comprising two styles .. steep and steeper. It’s a bit tricky in places as the routing is not well marked. From here on in there were  no services and sparse cottages and farm houses many of which looked locked up.

I got to Consuma at around 3 and found a café; bought some ham, pecorino, bread and wine. I did the necessary …

I am staying at a BnB tonight some 10km’s away. The place is beautiful. Its 8pm and time for dinner! This will be interesting. And it was good.

And tomorrows Walk

The walk is described as hard. Its 17km ascending 540 and descending 1100. Will change the shoes for tomorrow and optimise what I am carrying again. It’s a remote walk tomorrow no services along the way.

And Don’t Forget The Good Cause

In honour of the great work Black Dog institute are doing in helping many families, corporate organisations and communities create awareness and support to deal with the pressures of life, I am raising money for this important cause.

I am close to my $3,000 target – no amount is too small – only $200 to go. 

https://teamblackdog.everydayhero.com/au/walking-the-st-francis-way

If interested, you can read a daily debrief of my walk and see some pics on my blog: www.youcanlive2.com  Its still work in progress and you can subscribe for updates at the bottom.

 

Ciao till tomorrow.

Darren