Laghetto dei Lastei del col del Vento. 2200m

Just me and my dog Kali. Torrid August day. Escaping to the cool solitude of Cima d'Asta will be good. Just two cars at Chiesetta di pront. I head cross country to try to make a beeline for the bivacco. The super-steep walk is entrancing, through moss-carpeted springy undergrowth, but I become tree-bound as there are lots of downed trees.
We're both thirsty and drink our fill at the bivacco trough. The sultry afternoon air is like lead and I feel like my feet are two bricks. Another hour to Pra Bastian meadows, which are as enchanting as ever. I amble lazily, stopping frequently to pick and scoff the abundant wild Bilberries carpeting the meadow. The haul through to the upper valley from the meadow  is steep but enchanting with good views opening south. I snap a single pine soaring on an azalea-covered knoll, silhouetted against the setting sun. Life is good. I pause to watch the sun set behind the distant mountains, before tackling the maze of granite boulders and slabs above. It takes a while to find the tennis-court sized lake, but it's a gem! There is snow on the ground yet the water is warm. But for the rapidly-cooling air I would have skinny-dipped completely, but just went in up to my waist. A quick dinner...well...more of  a snack really as I've no stove-just a little bit extra food to overnight. I lay down my sleeping bag and quickly doze off, only to wake with cold feet. I put my sleeping bag stuff sack over them, wrap my torso in some karrimat and am all toasty. Kali curls up a few feet away and we slumber.