Porze Hütte

Dear Christine hope I didn't sound too miserable last night.  There was just so much snow falling I was certain that I would be staying in the Obstansersee-hütte for a third day with my journey along the Karnischer Höhenweg completely stalled.  Things turned out far better than I could have hoped and victory has been pulled from the jaws of defeat.

Snow, snow and more snow

Across the valley from the Obstansersee-hütte

To the Obstansersee-hütte

Dear Christine.  Things have moved on since my last blog and I'm now enjoying my 2nd night at the Obstansersee-hütte about 8 hours along the Karnischer Höhenweg.  The weather is dreadful, but you'll be pleased to know that I stuck with my research schedule for an English language guide to the walk and did an 8 circular walk in rain and snow. To make up for the fact that I couldn't see more than about 5 metres ahead of me I spent most of the day listening to David Nicholls' 'One Day', very good but sentimental and I'm not sure if would like it.

Early morning views of Sextner Dolomites

Two of the Drei Zinnen

Looking NE from the ridge

To Belluno

Dear Christine, I'm now in Sillian in a very comfortable hotel preparing to take on the Karnischer Höhenweg. Since leaving Stein four days ago I've traveled to Passo Duran, crossed the Schiara-Gruppe, walked down to Belluno and journeyed by bus and train across to Sillian. I quite like mixing up a bit of travel with the walking, I love it when all the different bits come together.

Mt Pelmo

To Stein

After such a big day yesterday today's walk to Stein was a more civilised 7 hours. I had booked accommodation at the Stein Gasthof when I was in Hall and as things turned out it was a good job I did.

Geraer Hütte

The main event was the climb over the Alpeiner Scharte the pass over the main ridge immediately to the east of Geraer Hütte. Completely in shadow it was a fairly easy climb although some scrambling near the top would have been a challenge to some people.  On the way up we saw some interesting birds, similar size to pheasants but with a white speckled plumage. Almost at the pass itself was the remains of a mine which ominously had last been worked between 1941-5.  Even more ominous and more exciting was a large and very noisy rock fall, a safe distance from us, but spectacular.

Old mine above the Geraer Hütte

To the Geraer Hütte

Dear Christine, sorry to be out of touch for a day or so but last night I was just too knackered to engage my brain. Yesterday was one of those mad epic days I've inflicted on you in the past where the walking was wonderful but there was just too much of it.

Amazing views of the Hintertux Glacier from the Gierjoch

To the Lizumer Hütte

Dear Christine, I sorry/happy to report that today you missed a great walk. The journey along the main ridge of the Tuxer Alps lived up its billing as one of the best days on the journey from Munich to Venice. Perhaps not as good for my money as the main day in the Karwendel, or indeed the days in the Dolomites, but epic none the less.

On the ridge above the Glungezer Hütte

Hall to Glungezer

Dear Christine, you may be hobbling at home with a broken foot but today you dodged at bullet. Getting off the plane yesterday in Innsbruck after weeks slobbing in Brighton and then climbing 2500m on a hot day was a big ask and yes I suffered. You were worried about this first day and rightly so. Glungezer is the a very friendly hut but it's also the highest one on the whole Munich Venice route, has no running water and I'm sleeping in a packed dorm.

Catch the lift idiot!

The red German language Rother Guide, which all the Germans use on the Munich Venice route recommends taking a bus and a chair lift and avoiding most of the climb. Although this seems a cop out, having done it I can see its sense.  It's hard work and the route they recommend doesn't help. There is road walking at the beginning and a horrible stretch along the side of very steep piste (must be a black run). What's worse is the chair lift, the one your supposed to take, runs along side the piste. It's packed with walkers staring bemusedly down at the only person making the climb.