Climber, musician, botanist, but most of all a writer, Julius Kugy is a legendary figure in the history of the Julian Alps and the village of Valbruna. From Valbruna he started many of his climbs to his beloved Jof Fuart and Montasio with local guide Anton Oitzinger. He spent the latter part of his life in Valbruna enjoying his friends and sharing his philosophy on life and mountaineering with visitors and younger climbers. Kugy made many first ascents in the Julian Alps, but mountaineering to him was not a sport, it was a way of life. “This is not a sport book. Neither it is a guide nor a collection of itineraries. It tries to describe the mountains as a source of happiness, because such they were in my life” – Julius Kugy.
