Rifugio Mario Tedeschi al Pialeral

Rifugio Mario Tedeschi al Pialeral, also Rifugio Mario Tedeschi, Rifugio Tedeschi, has been a refuge on Grignone at Pasturo in Valsassina to 1,428 meters high in place Pialeral, belonged to Società Escursionisti Milanesi (SEM), Milanesi Hikers Company.
The refuge was destroyed by an avalanche from the top of Grignone and fell down in Foppa del Ger a valley of the mountain, in the night between 30 and 31 January 1986; fortunately the refuge was empty and there were no casualties.

The refuge was born as an extension of Capanna Pialeral built in 1910 in an enchanting location, in a meadow in plan, an alpine pasture, with perfect view of Grignone, in front as from a balcony Alpe Cova and in the distance Valsassina. It was a landmark for Grignone in the slope of Pasturo, base for the ascent to Rifugio Luigi Brioschi on the top of the mountain, about a thousand meters above, and for many other excursions.
Destroyed in 1944 by the Nazi-fascists was re-built after the war.
It was dedicated to Mario Tedeschi, president of CAI Section of Milan between 1910 and 1912, promoter of a popular mountaineering.

Rifugio Mario Tedeschi was a large two-story building, consists of a ground floor with terrace, first floor and attic one.
At Pialeral of the refuge remains:

• a small wall high about a foot and long about ten meters, that is its base facing downstream
• a red plaque Club Alpino Italiano Sez. S.E.M. Rifugio Mario Tedeschi al Pialeral m. 1428, attached to the small wall
• a plaque in the gray metal of the size of about one meter for fifty centimeters with the dedication of the building, probably still Capanna Pialeral, by Società Escursionisti Milanesi July 17th, 1921. It fixed on a rock next to the signage of the trails, behind a tall green pole waves the Italian flag

In plaque at the center a naked woman standing on a mountain top with hands raised holding a row of flowers. On the four edges of the plate engraved flowers, in the upper edge the pick ax and down its toe cap. On both sides of the woman a number of names, on the left between the belly and her feet:

    Barbieri Aldo
    Barbieri Mario
    Cameroni Ugo
    Castiglioni Pietro
    Clerici Cornelio
    Corradini Carlo
    Cova Nemo
    Donini Lamberto
    Fantaguzzi Olimpio
    Lavezzi Carlo
    Lucchini Pietro

On the right of the woman:

    Mariani Ettore
    Mazzolari Osvaldo
    Moreo Arnaldo
    Piazza Edilio
    Rimoldi Salvatore
    Sgolmin Emilio
    Scattolin Aldo
    Tadini Domenico
    Zanini Adriano
    Zoja Pietro
    Zoppis Giuseppe

Under the woman and the mountain:
La Società Escursionisti Milanesi consacra ai maschi compagni morti per l'Italia queste mure ospitali, Milanesi Hikers Company consacres to male comrades dead for Italy these hospitable walls
XVII Luglio MCMXXI, luglio is July.

The refuge after the avalanche has not been built anymore, in its position a large lawn equipped with wooden picnic tables.
The place of Rifugio Mario Tedeschi al Pialeral was taken by a mountain hut below became first Rifugio Pialeral and now Rifugio Antonietta al Pialeral.

1. Società Escursionisti Milanesi, caisem.org