In The Writer’s Mountain Hut words are important.

Inspired by the book by Mauro Corona and Matteo Righetto “Il Passo del Vento“, I’ve decided to write my own Alpine Syllabary. My mountain words aim to describe what fascinates me the most about mountains.

Some words will be in English. Some in Italian. Some in Friulano, the language of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, which is very dear to my heart.
As a matter of fact, the first word is Fumate. Commonly used when hiking in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, it describes mountain fog better than any other word I know.

F – Fumate

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is the natural child of Southern seas and northeastern winds. Alps motherly protect the land from the continent’s storms. Water cuddles the smooth hills and clouds crash against the salty rocks of the mountains.

In between, mist covers the land. In the mountains of Friuli-Venezia Giulia that damp fog is called “fumate”. The name bears its origin in the word smoke. It well evokes the way in which the fumate rolls in over peeks stones like waves of wet smoke. Fumate glides over huts and fields, covers forests, it hides paths. You can admire the fumate descending from the sky or rising from the valley. In any case, once the fumate arrives there’s no way of stopping it or find a decent natural shelter. When everything Is blurred and smushed, the best option is to stay still and don’t adventure on any path.

The fumate is a dangerous fascination. In the depth of its womb, is the only occasion for humankind to stand skin to skin with clouds.