Day Two was a difficult one, including within its 47 kilometers 2,800 meters of ascent, and 3000 meters of descent. “During the second day, we got a very good taste of how remote and majestic these mountains are,” said competitor Francesca Conte. “I have seen many mountain environments all over the world, but never one where the valley below was so low compared to the summits above.” Photo: Kirsten Kortebein