alps - Hendric´s Blog

Since ages I´m a member of the German Alp Association (DAV). Getting special discounts when sleeping and eating in alpine huts was the only reason for me to join. In the beginning I never met any other member of my section. This I wanted to change by frequently checking if potential trips do match my schedule. Finally this happened just a couple of weeks ago. A trip to the Austrian Pitztal has been announced by the Baar section.

The tour announced almost matched my preferred hiking level and my company was closed for summer vacation. Due to another Alp trip I missed the preliminary as well as to get to known to them. But since I´m very open minded and love meeting people there wasn´t any doubt that I will find some nice guys in this group.

Once we finally met last Sunday everything went fine. As a result a group of 8 people between 32 and 72 traveled down to Austria having a good time.

In Mittelberg (1740m), below the Pitztal Glacier Cable car station the trip begun. Passing Taschachtal we slowly hiked towards the Taschachhaus, our first destination of the Trip. First half of the path is almost like walking on the highway. Not very steep and well manageable for almost everybody. This does change when reaching the supply lift base station. From there a new created path does bring you up to the hut within one hour. The previous way got damaged by a rockslide recently. This new way is well created. It is a little bit steep and exposed which makes hiking more fun.

The Taschachhaus does belong to the section Munich. Beside accommodation it also is used as a mountain training center. The fittings are outstanding. Sometimes you feel more like being in a hotel than in a hut. For the group we had booked a 10 persons room including breakfast and dinner. Our served meal has been wonderful and more tasty than some food I had in international hotels.

Since we arrived quite early there also was time for a short hike towards the glacier. It takes another 45 minutes to get there. Especially in summer seeing a glacier is overwhelming. Underneath some dirt you can see 20m deep crevasses. From inside they are shining deep blue. Please note that you need to be absolutely gutsy and sure-footed when going there as well as well equipped if you also want to walk on the glacier.

On the second day our plan was to walk on the Fuldaer Höhenweg (Fulda trail) toward the Riffelseehütte. From there our final destination was the Kaunergrathütte. From Taschachhaus you need to climb up another 200m to reach the Fulda trail. From there it takes you along the Taschach valley giving you a beautiful view on glaciers and summits around. Due to the rockslide here also some areas have been rebuild. Secured by chains you can easily walk this areas.

From the Riffelseehütte our path went up another 300m. Now the real adventure started. This trail is called the Cottbuser trail. And whatever exposed path you have seen so far in this trip now becomes ridiculous. The first 5km are very exposed including a well secured climbing section (Video). For everybody not being 100% gutsy minimal climbing equipment is recommended. Once you have managed this the trail keeps challenging but also gives you a phenomenal panoramic view.

On the final 350m it gets a little boring. After all this ups and downs all you see is a steep way up. Since there is no adrenaline involved for this section you need to have a good fitness. Once you reached 2817m every effort is gone. Looking at the glacier and the panorama makes you feel happy.

Kaunergrathütte is the highest alpine hut at Pitztal. Supplied only by a helicopter you can imagine that everything is build for a low resource consumption. Some of the equipment seems to be almost 100 years old. Nevertheless it is very comfortable and the food is good.

On the final day we went up another 200m to pass the Steinbockjoch. From there we had a beautiful view and a good position to say good bye to this area. The trail than takes you down to Plangroß. 1600m above sea level this is the final destination.

Have fun when doing this three days hike.

In a whole bunch of hiking guides a 4 day pass through of the Silvretta area is recommended. For some reasons I had to shorten this tour a little bit. Since the three days result anyway was outstanding it is worth to put it up here.

Starting point of this tour is Bielerhöhe. On 2037m above sea level this is a well know spot that easily can be reached via the “Silvretta Hochalpen Strasse”.

Day1: Starting at Bielerhöhe I walk along the south bank of Bielersee towards Ochsental. For people only being reasonably fit walking through Ochsental is a short distance walk to reach our first destination “Wiesbadener Hütte” comfortably with low effort. But my way went different. Instead of following the Ochsental path, I make a left towards “Bieltal”. After a couple of meters I make a left towards “Radschulter”. This way also is the official connection way to reach “Hohes Rad” summit. Of course who still didn´t run low this would be a nice summit to put on record. But be careful you only can reach it by climbing.

The “Radschulter” path is a great track passing the summit south. There have been two reasons for me taking this way. First of all is the beautiful view that you can get quite early. Secondly due to a steep scree slope this trail is a wonderful challenge. Once the Radsattel has been reached there´s only a short way left to the “Wiesbadener Hütte”

The Wiesbadener Hütte is equipped wonderful. Beside warm shower and a wonderful atmosphere also a delicious food is served. Whenever I do hikes on my own I do a single room reservation. So I can´t rate the dormitory.
http://www.wiesbadener-huette.com/

Day2: Starting at “Wiesbadener Hütte” my way goes approximately 60minutes back to the “Radsattel”. From there the way goes down following the signs towards Galtür. Down in the valley there is another junction introducing our way to the today’s destination. A bridge needs to be crossed. The estimated walking time to “Jamtalhütte” is three hours. This trial is a connection trial to the „Edmund Lorenz Weg“ which will be reached after another 45 minutes. The upcoming path is a great mix of heaven and hell. As always it starts with heaven. Green hills small rivers build up a easy to walk high surface. But after a couple of minutes everything is changing. The track is getting steeper and steeper approaching an even steeper boulder col. Once you come closer you will realize that is not as difficult as expected. Nevertheless you need to watch your step and you need to keep an eye on the signposting. Finaly I reach the Getschnerscharte (Getschner notch, 2839m). High up there is a beautiful view 700m down towards my today´s destination. The descent equals ascent is almost true. Even if my way up took a lot of power and has been extremely steep, descent feels like being even more dangerous. The red mark path, in some areas seems to be almost vertical. So if you are planning this trip, please be aware that you need to be footed and vertigo. Down in the valley there is a last 20 minutes ascent until I reach my final destination for today.

Jamtalhütte I rate to be one of the better accommodations. It is a little bit more expensive. But to be honest you shouldn´t care. Each cent is worth it. Beside regular dishes also a afternoon soup is served as well as free snack and vespers.
http://www.jamtalhuette.at/

Day3: As mentioned above day three is my last one. But this isn´t really a problem. Even if I´m underneath a glacier it only takes a two hours walk to reach the next village. So even if this tour is recommended to do in four days with adding a trip to the “Heidleberger Hütte” also three days is possible. Instead of walking down you simple can walk east towards “Kronjoch”. Besides being a great fourth day trip you also can do it as a single trip. Stay tuned for an article explaining that tour.

Thanks for reading and enjoy hiking.