From sea level to 1,589m (5,213 ft) in a morning. We (Maria, Simone, and I) went hiking on a COLD morning - if you look closely you can see ice in some of the photos. But the view made it well worth it. These are the Apuane Alps, or the southern tip of the Alps (Alps -> Alpenini -> Apuane Alps). You can see from a few of the photos the extensive marble quarrying that was done here; this in fact was one of the most fascinating aspects of the hike. The mountains in which we were hiking were those from which Michaelangelo Buonarroti selected his marble for his David and Pietà, among other works. The technology available to cut and transport the marble from the top of the mountain down at the time it was done is incredible and astounding. It was a good day and as you read this, I am probably still sore.