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brooke beyond

Alta Via 2 Passo Valles
Europe / Italy

Alta Via 2 (day 7): Passo San Pellegrino to Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz

3 October 2022

Last Updated on 22 April 2025

Following what may have been a large day yesterday, day 7 is short and undemanding as it journeys through the Pale di San Martino to charming Rifugio Mulaz. Aside from a few short trails you might wish to scamper up, there isn’t much in the way of extension or side-trips (and only a short, easy section of cable), so enjoy a relaxing day in anticipation of the via ferrata to come!

This comprehensive guide to Day 7 of Alta Via 2 contains detailed section times, route recommendations, adventurous side trips, via ferrata, and heaps of insider tips— use it to plan your hike & then refer back on the trail so you always know what to expect!

All my AV2 knowledge in one place: Alta Via 2: complete hiking + via ferrata route guide

Alta Via 2: Day 7 overview

Stats quoted here are for my recommended “adventure route” AND the standard route (no changes today!)

  • Trail hours: 5hrs
  • Distance: 13km
  • Elevation gain & loss: 1130m up & 470m down
  • Huts: (Rifugio Valles), Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Connecting with the trail to Passo Valles

San Pellegrino to Passo Valles (1h45m)

Leaving San Pellegrino, it’s a touch tricky to connect with the trail— walk towards the Margherita cable car and pass through a plastic gate followed by a wooden turnstile to find a forested trail winding gradually up the hillside. 

From this point, it’s no struggle at all to stay on the intended route. Follow cairns across the rocks above Lago di Cavia and through cow-filled pastures. Although the early sections of the route can be quite steep, it should only take about 45min to reach Pale di Gargol at 2,218m. 

If you’re following my custom AV2 adventure route, the best way to stay on track is with my custom-built AV2 GPS map— packed with detailed daily tracks, 168+ waypoints, all the side trips & via ferrata described in this guide, detours to avoid challenging sections, plus extensive trail notes to help you navigate AV2 like an expert.

Available in both JSON and GPX formats, the map works seamlessly with GPS apps like CalTopo, Gaia, and AllTrails, or with Garmin devices and watches. Head to my storefront to purchase the map!

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

At the junction, follow signs towards Passo Valles and continue 30min further to Forcella di Pradazzo. The route descends on a wide road, but the most expedient way to reach the pass is to follow the GPS straight through the hills for about 30min, connecting with various trails and goat tracks to eventually reach Rifugio Valles. 

Assuming you’ve had a long day yesterday, Rifugio Valles is an excellent spot to break for lunch. 

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

Passo Valles to Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz (3h15m)

From Rifugio Valles, hike uphill about 25min to reach Forcella Venegia at 2,212 and then follow signs towards Rifugio Mulaz. 

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Cows abound on this section of the hike!
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

The next several hours of the walk alternate between uphill and downhill, offering beautiful views of the Pale di San Martino range and countless cow-covered pastures en route to Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz. 

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

The final ascent has a few cable sections, but nothing that requires full via ferrata gear. With bronchitis, I moved a little slower than usual today and was beyond relieved to see the hut come into view at the top of an uphill push!

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Rifugio Mulaz was a favourite on AV2!

Night 7: Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz

Surrounded by the limestone peaks of Pale di San Martino and staffed by some of the loveliest people we met on the trek, Rifugio Volpi al Mulaz was among my favourite huts. 

Warmed by a hot stove in the dining area, grab a hot wine (vin brûlée) on arrival and dig into a delicious 3-course dinner while admiring the many old-school mountaineering photos (and stuffed kitties) that adorn the interior of this cozy hut. Reserve Rifugio Mulaz by email.

  • Rooms: 34€ (dorm room; privates only for half board) OR 74/69€ half board (private room/dorm)
  • Food: half board with 3-course dinner; get the vin brûlée (hot wine)!
  • Showers: closed indefinitely due to water shortage
  • Connectivity: weak mobile signal outside the hut
  • Alpine Club Discount: -17€ half board

For more information on what to expect in a mountain hut & how to prepare for your stay: Everything you need to know about mountain huts (rifugi) in the Italian Dolomites

Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide
Alta Via 2 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

Read more about Alta Via 2

  • start here ->Detailed AV2 Route Guide
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 1): BRESSANONE TO RIFUGIO GENOVA + VIA FERRATA SASS D’PUTIA
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 2): RIFUGIO GENOVA TO RIFUGIO PUEZ + VIA FERRATA PIZ DULEDA
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 3): RIFUGIO PUEZ TO RIFUGIO PISCIADÚ + VIA FERRATA GRAN CIR, PIZ DA CIR, BRIGATA TRIDENTINA
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 4): RIFUGIO PISCIADÚ TO PIZ BOÈ + CIMA PISCIADÚ
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 5): PIZ BOÈ TO RIFUGIO CASTIGLIONI MARMOLADA 
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 6): LAGO DI FEDAIA TO SAN PELLEGRINO + VIA FERRATA DELLE TRINCEE
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 7): PASSO SAN PELLEGRINO TO RIFUGIO VOLPI AL MULAZ
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 8): RIFUGIO MULAZ TO RIFUGIO PRADIDALI
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 9): RIFUGIO PRADIDALI TO RIFUGIO TREVISO + VIA FERRATA PORTON & NICO GUSELLA
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 10): RIFUGIO TREVISO TO PASSO CEREDA + VIA FERRATA CANALONE
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 11): PASSO CEREDA TO RIFUGIO BOZ
  • ALTA VIA 2 (DAY 12): RIFUGIO BOZ TO CROCE D’AUNE
  • navigate confidently on & off the trail ->AV2 adventure route GPS map!
TAGS:alta viaalta via 2dolomites
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brooke beyond

Hey, I'm Brooke and I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (joined by my life/climbing partner, James). Whether it’s road-tripping through Mexico, climbing alpine peaks in the Andes, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or tackling epic via ferrata in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

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hi, I’m brooke!

I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (now joined by my life/climbing partner, James). I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

read my story
currently exploring

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recent posts

  • Teton Crest Trail: my epic 5-day backpacking route to Delta Lake + Middle/South Teton summits

    14 May 2025
  • Camera gear for travel photography: what we use as full-time travellers

    11 May 2025
  • Complete Ausangate Circuit & Rainbow Mountain packing list

    10 May 2025
  • Complete Salkantay Trek packing list: what to pack for hiking to Machu Picchu

    9 May 2025
  • Complete Inca Trail packing list: what to pack for hiking to Machu Picchu

    9 May 2025

@brookebeyond_
brooke ✨travel & mountain gal

@brookebeyond_

  • THIS 👆🏼IS MEXICO 

I’ve spent nearly 2 years exploring Mexico & barely scratched the surface of this incredible country— hands-down my favourite place to travel, even after 60 countries! México es mejor 🇲🇽

Follow @brookebeyond_ for more Mexico off the beaten path 🇲🇽✨

States featured in this video:
- Baja California (Norte)
- Campeche
- Chiapas
- Guanajuato
- Hidalgo
- Jalisco
- Michoacán
- Nuevo Leon
- Oaxaca
- Puebla
- Tabasco
- Quintana Roo
- Veracruz
- Yucatán
  • Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
  • ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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.
.
#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
  • CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
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.
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#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
  • Ethiopia is one of the few places on Earth where you can trek across day-old lava flows & stand at the edge of a crater filled with liquid fire.

✨ Erta Ale & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at bit.ly/beyond-Ethiopia ✨

Would you get this close?! 👀🔥
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.
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#ertaale #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #volcano #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel #volcanoes
  • Come with us to explore one of the craziest places on the entire planet:📍 Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

✨ this & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at the link in bio! ✨
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#textures #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #simienmountains #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel
  • ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨

I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open  bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November!

✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨

our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes:
🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 
🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano
🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression
⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks
🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains
+
 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!!

✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
  • Bolivia isn’t the only place with epic salt flats…

📍Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

✨ this & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at the link in bio! ✨
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#ethiopia #danakildepression #danakil #saltflats #travelethiopia #bucketlist #adventuretravel
  • ETHIOPIA’S TREKKING PARADISE ⛰️🇪🇹

Jagged peaks, sheer cliffs dropping thousands of metres, endless canyonlands & high-elevation plantlife that looks straight out of a fantasy novel.

The Simien Mountains are one of the most spectacular trekking destinations in the world—so why is no one talking about it?!

For 3 days, we hiked through some of the most dramatic landscapes I’ve ever seen, completely alone except for troops of Gelada Baboons (the “bleeding heart monkeys” that only live here). And at Imet Gogo, the most famous viewpoint, we sat on the edge of the escarpment in total awe & complete silence, no one but our local trekking guide for miles.

If you’re looking for epic trekking without the masses, Ethiopia needs to be on your radar. And luckily, we’ve got a group hiking trip on the calendar for November 😍

✨ DM for early access! ✨
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#textures #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #simienmountains #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel
follow @brookebeyond_

travel beyond the ordinary

Explore my travel guides, custom itineraries & blog posts with an interactive world map ✨

all destinations

  • THIS 👆🏼IS MEXICO 

I’ve spent nearly 2 years exploring Mexico & barely scratched the surface of this incredible country— hands-down my favourite place to travel, even after 60 countries! México es mejor 🇲🇽

Follow @brookebeyond_ for more Mexico off the beaten path 🇲🇽✨

States featured in this video:
- Baja California (Norte)
- Campeche
- Chiapas
- Guanajuato
- Hidalgo
- Jalisco
- Michoacán
- Nuevo Leon
- Oaxaca
- Puebla
- Tabasco
- Quintana Roo
- Veracruz
- Yucatán
  • Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
  • ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
.
.
.
.
.
#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
  • CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
  • Ethiopia is one of the few places on Earth where you can trek across day-old lava flows & stand at the edge of a crater filled with liquid fire.

✨ Erta Ale & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at bit.ly/beyond-Ethiopia ✨

Would you get this close?! 👀🔥
.
.
.
.
.
#ertaale #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #volcano #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel #volcanoes
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
THIS 👆🏼IS MEXICO I’ve spent nearly 2 years exploring Mexico & barely scratched the surface of this incredible country— hands-down my favourite place to travel, even after 60 countries! México es mejor 🇲🇽 Follow @brookebeyond_ for more Mexico off the beaten path 🇲🇽✨ States featured in this video: - Baja California (Norte) - Campeche - Chiapas - Guanajuato - Hidalgo - Jalisco - Michoacán - Nuevo Leon - Oaxaca - Puebla - Tabasco - Quintana Roo - Veracruz - Yucatán
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
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Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk. We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me. Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else. We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
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ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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.
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.
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
.
.
.
.
.
#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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.
.
.
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
.
.
.
.
.
#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
.
.
.
.
.
#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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.
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.
.
#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
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ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
1 month ago
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CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
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#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
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#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
@brookebeyond_
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CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
1 month ago
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@brookebeyond_
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Ethiopia is one of the few places on Earth where you can trek across day-old lava flows & stand at the edge of a crater filled with liquid fire. ✨ Erta Ale & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at bit.ly/beyond-Ethiopia ✨ Would you get this close?! 👀🔥 . . . . . #ertaale #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #volcano #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel #volcanoes
2 months ago
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