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+m4_navtable(← Day 4,../day4,Alta Via 2,../,Day 6 →,../day6)
+
+# Day 5 - Entering the Pala group
+
+m4_caption({{{{{August 24, 2025}}}}})
+
+## Route of the day
+
+<details>
+<summary><strong>Click to see map</strong></summary>
+<img src="../img/24-0000-map.png">
+</details>
+
+*Download the [gpx file](../gpx/av2-day5.gpx) or see the route on
+[outdooractive.com](https://www.outdooractive.com/en/route/hiking-trail/province-of-belluno/-2025-alta-via-2-day-5/325542248/?share=%7E3zdmwhgp%244ossqbdb)*
+
+## Back on track
+
+![The Focobon group at dawn](../img/24-0648-focobon.jpg)
+
+m4_caption({{{{{
+Forgive me if this photo is the same at the last one of the previous day,
+but it is one of my favorite. It is also quite fascinating how the light
+at dawn mixes up all the colors compared to previous day's picture.
+}}}}})
+
+After a long sleep, we are ready to leave Flora Alpina at 8:20. Our
+first checkpoint is the
+[San Pellegrino Pass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pellegrino_Pass),
+(1918 meters on sea level) which is unfortunately a bit farther away than
+it would have been if we slept in Fuciade.
+
+It takes us about one hour to reach the Pass. On the way we saw a cow
+breastfeeding her calf, which was cute. We cross the main road on the pass,
+and from here we have to walk up on grassy slopes and ski paths. The
+signs point to a path that is not the one we planned, but the two tracks
+join shortly afterwards. The ski paths are extremely steep, but wide,
+so we can easily zig-zag all the way up.
+
+At 10:30 we reach the *Pale di Gargol* (2218m), a plan that I am not sure
+why deserves a name. Perhaps the name refers to the whole area which I
+guess could be described as a rocky meadow.
+
+![The rocky meadow](../img/24-1027-pale-di-gargol.jpg)
+
+m4_caption({{{{{
+The Pale di Gargol. The term "pala" means "shovel" in Italian,
+but according to the
+<a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_di_San_Martino#Il_toponimo">
+Italian Wikipedia page</a> about the
+<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pala_group">Pale di San Martino</a>
+mountains, in the local language it once denoted a grassy slope at the
+feet of a mountain range.
+}}}}})
+
+Once again, the landscape has changed to show us something completely
+different from that we have seen in this trip so far. The continuous
+shift from rocks, to forest, to grass, to yet other types of rock and
+any combination of those features is in my opinion one of the most
+fascinating aspects of Alta Via 2.
+
+![Walking down to Passo Valles](../img/24-1129-panorama.jpg)
+
+m4_caption({{{{{Walking down to Passo Valles.
+In the background, the Pale di San Martino.}}}}})
+
+The trail continues almost flat in this unusual scenery until we
+descend to [Passo Valles](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passo_Valles) (2032m)
+at around 11:50. We are now entering the fascinating section of
+the *Pale di San Martino*, also known in English as the
+[Pala group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pala_group), of.which
+the Mulaz and the Focobon group are the northernmost peaks.
+
+But first we need a break. We stop at a bar on the pass for a coffee
+and a slice of strüdel.
+
+## Veneggia, Venegiotta and Pass dei Fochet
+
+We leave the bar at 12:20, and in half an hour we reach Forcella
+Veneggia (2217m). The view opens up to the wild valley in the south.
+
+![The view from Forcella Veneggia](../img/24-1252-forcella-veneggia.jpg)
+
+m4_caption({{{{{The view from Forcella Veneggia.}}}}})
+
+So far, the day has not been particularly challenging. Later on
+we'll have to pass some difficult sections, but for now we continue
+on some easy, if tight, trails.
+
+Despite the beauty of the place, we don't meet many other hikers.
+In fact, I think we saw more marmots than people in this part of
+the route.
+
+![More mountains](../img/24-1400-venegiotta.jpg)
+
+At around 14:00 we reach *Passo Venegiotta* (2300m), and about 30 minutes
+later *Passo dei Fochet* (2291m). The weather has been good today so far,
+but here a strong cold wind starts blowing, and we can feel a few drops
+of rain.
+
+## Through the rocks, to Rifugio Mulaz
+
+The landscape changes once again. We are now walking on rocks and gravel.
+
+![Another scree](../img/24-1447-rocks-to-mulaz.jpg)
+
+We walk down a scree to around 2175m, before starting to climb up again.
+It's cold and cloudy, and this part of the trail is a fair bit more
+difficult than the previous. Nothing particularly hard or dangerous,
+but we have to pay a bit more attention where we put our feet.
+
+The trail abruptly becomes extremely steep, and very demanding on my
+muscles, which so far had been enjoying a more relaxing day.
+
+![The climb to Rifugio Mulaz](../img/24-1552-climb-to-mulaz.jpg)
+
+m4_caption({{{{{
+Some steel ropes help make the climb to Rifugio Mulaz less dangerous.
+}}}}})
+
+We reach Rifugio Mulaz (2570m) at 16:40, after a little more than
+8 hours from when we left Flora Alpina. Somehow, both these places
+are in the territory of [Falcade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcade).
+
+![Reaching Rifugio Mulaz](../img/24-1638-mulaz.jpg)
+
+m4_caption(Reaching Rifugio Mulaz)
+
+From this hut, the only landscape you can see, in any direction, is
+naked rock. There is a tiny window from where you can see a valley,
+but the sight is cut out and the only visible thing is more rocks.
+Definitely fascinating, although personally prefer more varied landscapes.
+
+I'll add a picture on the next day's page, the early morning light
+was much better.
+
+Oh and by the way, up here every resource is very scarce. There is
+no drinkable tap water, and showers cost 8€ for 5 minutes. But I
+really need one today.
+
+m4_navtable(← Day 4,../day4,Alta Via 2,../,Day 6 →,../day6)