“I propose an interesting outing in my valleys, the Basodino. We can even wake up late, since it’s an easy and safe trip” (and in my heart I’m thinking of a wonderful meetup in Gravellona at 8 a.m.… how naïve I was!) “Let’s meet at the usual spot in Gravellona at 6:30.” Everything goes well: the first 500 meters are climbed in about an hour, and the skins don’t slip too much. Gradually we reach the Kastel col and then the Basodino ridge. Just a few steps without crampons and we’re on the summit, where Marco enjoys a hearty meal. After the obligatory photos, we start heading down. Despite the warm temperatures, the snow is good and we have a lot of fun skiing it. A shame about one ski popping off in a turn, deciding to take a hundred-meter solo run downhill before stopping… From the hut downward it feels like skiing through a mix of cheesy polenta and dirt. Quote of the day: “Edo won’t love you anymore now that you’ve done one of his dream ski tours without him.”