World’s Loneliest Capsule Hotel

Imagine you're 3,000 meters above sea level, suspended from a vertical cliff hidden in the Italian Alps. Here, you won't find a hotel, but a futuristic space capsule that belongs in a sci-fi movie. Good morning! It's completely free, but the hardest part is getting there. Oh my god. Honestly, this is not bad if you don't look down. Close with now. So come with me as I spend the night inside one of the most extraordinary mountain shelters in the world. Good morning! I am currently in Cormier, Italy, which is the heart of the Italian Alps. And today, I am planning on a hike where I search for this mysterious hut on the glacier. So I am currently here. I think I need to get to this point, which is the start of the trail. I don't see the trailhead yet, but I do see that hut on the mountain, which is really crazy. There it is, a little round dot. Very far away. So I think this is the trailhead. The trail is marked by these yellow dots, but as you get higher, it's supposed to be harder and harder to spot them. So this route is actually considered like an alpine mountaineering route. Although I've had a couple mountaineering experiences when I was in South America, it was always with a guide and a tour group. But this is the first time I'm doing it by myself. So I am a little nervous. But look at this view. Right now, the trail is pretty easy. So I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can now. Look at all these beautiful wildflowers. It's kind of crazy looking down where I came from. Look at that. Look at all those rocks scrambling. Also, there's nobody on this trail. So I'm hoping I can get a bed at the hut tonight. It's free and first come, first serve. Okay, I think at some point, we'll have to cross over this waterfall. The stream is just like going very fast and the rocks are very slippery and loose. So I'm going to hike up a little bit more and see if there's any safe path to cross. So I went from there to that rock to this rock and then kind of jumped over to this one. Yes, all wins. The trail is so steep right now. And that is the kind of the ridge I just came up. Oh my god, look where I am now. Oh my god. I didn't know it looked like this. Via Ferrata that I have to go on. Oh my god, so steep. I'm going to put on my helmet and harness before I get on the Via Ferrata just to be extra safe. I'm just a little bit nervous because it's my first time and there's no one else here. Safety first. Okay, let's go. I was actually going to turn around and go down the mountain at this point because I realized in order to get to the Via Ferrata, I have to go down to my death. But then I was like, let me give it a try and over. Oh my god, I'm so scared. Okay, we are now at the fun rock climbing part. Oh my god, so tired. Okay, just climb over the edge of this cliff. Take a look. Oh my god, I can't even look. I have like, I feel like I'm gonna get vertigo. I just like, my legs feel really weak when I look. Look how beautiful this trail is. I've never seen glaciers so close. Water straight from Mont Blanc. Have found some other people's tracks. Just going to follow it along. This is what the trail looks like now. But I'm always so happy when I see a yellow dot. That means I'm on the right track. It had been snowing for the last two days and the trail was especially difficult. Hidden beneath fresh snow and rushing streams of water. Look how close it is now. Almost there. Honestly, this is not bad if you don't look down. This is definitely the hardest thing I've ever done. But almost there. Look at that. Okay, I am finally here. Oh my god, after five hours. I am so exhausted. The original mountain hut was built almost 80 years ago in memory of the famous Italian bounteer Gervasuti. Then in 2012, it was renovated into the modern space capsule that we see today. It's an engineering marvel designed to withstand the high winds and extreme weather of the Alps. More than just a shelter, it's a testament to human ingenuity and our desire to push boundaries. Okay, so let's check out this hut. Ta-da! Wow, what an amazing view. I brought my own pillow and sleeping bag, but it's nice they have a mattress here. Look at that. I am out of water, so going to get some snow and melt it. I really feel like I'm in a survival show. This is the kitchen area with the hot plate. It's like lukewarm. I'm not sure it can actually boil water. Maybe it'll just take a long time. It is now 8 p.m. Going to watch the sunset. Feeling back alive again. So the hike was so difficult and so tiring. But I'm so glad I made it. There are three other hikers and two dogs in the hut. And I actually told them I was really thankful they were here before because I was following their footsteps, which made the hike much easier for me. There are two more people coming up to the space capsule. Even as night falls, the shelter welcomes new arrivals. People come from different countries and all walks of life. And for a brief moment, our lives intersect. There is a Swiss hiker who has stayed in over 200 mountain huts and two Italian mountaineers preparing for their summit the next day. It is a reminder of what we are capable of doing and how inherently human it is to want to share these experiences with others. Good morning. So this place is called Bibaco Javasuti. I think this is a book where everyone who has stayed here writes down where they're from, their name and where they are climbing to. As morning comes, everyone is getting ready to leave the hut. It's fun, right? Yeah. It was nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. See you guys. Good luck. The two mountaineers are starting their ascent to the summit. Until the wall. This is where you start from the wall. And this is the top you reach. Yeah. Good luck. Thank you. Bye. I could have never imagined myself here three years ago. Back then, I couldn't even hike a few miles. But life has a way of changing direction. After quitting my job, I found myself on my first solo hike in Patagonia. Step by step, one journey led to another. It took time to build the strength, confidence and to overcome my own fear. Until finally, I'm standing here today. And maybe one day, I'll go even further. I will see how the view transforms from the base of the mountain to its peak. It is around 11 a.m. I am now going to head down the mountain. Thank you so much for joining me on this incredible and crazy hike. I will see you soon. Bye.