Monte Capreo in slow walking

Almost a year has gone by since the last mountain hike, in which Gaetano and I got our work colleagues involved. Over the summer it wasn't possible to organise one because of the various commitments of our daring hikers; so much so that in the end, well in advance, Gaetano takes the initiative and fixes the date, 16 October 2010, the place, Monte Semprevisa, and, true to slow-walking, the trattoria, the menu and the wines too.
As the date draws near the destination, on the suggestion of Daniele F., a 100% DOC native of Carpineto, changes to Monte Capreo, an excellent viewpoint, on whose summit a large metal cross towers.

It is Daniele F. who does the honours and who will guide us to our goal.  We meet at 8.30 at the junction where the road from Carpineto Romano leads to Pian della Faggeta. Organised in small groups, we all turn up on time, and from there we drive on to the car park of Pian della Faggeta at 880 m. There are 5 of us: Massimiliano, Gaetano, Aderito, Daniele F. and Daniele A.
At 9 on the dot, rucksacks on our backs, from the car park we take the dirt road on the right. After about 300 metres, near some buildings, we leave the road and take the waymarked path on the right. Daniele F., the “master of the house” and an athletically fit one, starts “beating the rhythm on the drums”, setting a fast pace that wears out the other Daniele (the Q.G.). The latter, in a desperate attempt to make up ground, cuts straight up the slope, which wears him out even more. This is not the spirit of the day; it's not a trial of strength, it's meant to be a healthy day out together, without stress. I drop back from the group and wait for the Q.G., I encourage him, give him a few tips and walk with him along the path at the classic “alpine pace”. Later the “drummer” Daniele F. joins us and helps me keep the Q.G. going.

With the group back together we carry on calmly towards our goal; the path crosses the wood on a steady gradient, now and then a light rain patters on the leaves of the trees, just as the weather forecast said (light showers during the morning, getting worse in the afternoon). At this time of year the wood is a real multicoloured show, so much so that it leaves us speechless when we come out of it, setting off across the meadow on the valley floor that leads us to the “Sella  del Semprevisa” (1355 m). From here we carry on to the right towards the Capreo; after a short climb we gain height and carry on again through the wood up to the summit of the Capreo, passing by the fenced-off entrance of one of the many caves visited by cavers, which are typical of the whole area. We arrive at 11.00.
On the summit of Monte Capreo towers a large metal cross standing on a masonry structure that is practically falling to pieces: the inside plaster has come away completely, some sheets are holding back what has fallen from above, the wall opposite the entrance is bulging and about to collapse; in short, the condition of the base is truly dreadful. Will the big metal cross hold up?
The view is extraordinary; in the brief clear spells we managed to make out Norma and the Ninfa area towards the Pontine plain, and Montelanico, Gorga, Segni on the opposite side.

It would surely have been even more extraordinary on a day with better weather.
The atmosphere in the group is excellent; the Q.G. is now bursting with joy from every pore, after all the effort and pain of the climb. After the ritual change of sweat-soaked clothes for dry ones, a quick sip of water, the customary photos, a short break, the descent towards the car park and the restoring lunch begins. The descent is brisk and without stops; we meet three groups of hikers heading for Monte Semprevisa.

At 13.00 we are at the car park and 15 minutes later at the trattoria “La Sbirra”, where we enjoy the superb dishes cooked by the grandmother of our Daniele F., the “master of the house” in every sense. For lovers of slow-walking, the menu chosen was potato gnocchi with porcini mushrooms and truffle, and abbacchio (milk-fed lamb) accompanied by the Shiraz of Casale del Giglio and the Graffio of the Giuliani winery of Anagni. The Q.G. can't wait to go on another hike.