Friday, 4 September 2015

Der Roßkopf

Der Roßkopf is a peak in the next valley on the other side of the Spitzingsee (a lake). I walked up to the Taubensteinbahn and caught the gondola down to Spitzingsee Ort (the town). The gondola is almost 2.5 kilometres long and climbs (or descends) 520 metres. Sure beats walking!

Near the top
Views of the Spitzingsee
It's a 5 minute walk from the Talstation to the town along a Rundweg (circuit path) around the lake. The chairlift I'd planned to take was on the opposite end of the lake, so I continued around. The Spitzingsee is larger than St Georges Lake, but not by a great deal.

From a bridge near the outlet
Looking back towards the Taubensteinbahn
Here's that gorgeous green again
I'd planned to ride all the Seilbahnen today - the Taubensteinbahn (tick), the Stümpfling Sesselbahn (chairlift) to the top of the ridge, and then the Sutten Sesselbahn down into the next valley. The chap said they were having problems with the Suttenbahn, but they may get it working later in the day. I bought tickets for both chairlifts.

A big, comfortable 4-seater
From the top of the Stümpflingbahn, it’s about 20 minutes to the Roßkopf (1580 metres). A grassy hill rather than a rocky peak, the views were good. 

The first of four shots, turning clockwise
A couple of farmhouses at a decent altitude
The Bergstation of both the Stümpflingbahn and the Suttenbahn
Spitzingsee is in the valley below
Der Roßkopf - 1580 metres
I kept on going, heading for the Rotkopf (1602 metres).

The path follows the ridge at first before heading into the forest
Once down into the trees, the path was relatively flat – a rarity in these parts. It meandered through the forest, and it was very pleasant walking in the shade (given it was another 30 degree day).

Obstacles in the path - what fun!
Meandering through a meadow
Siggi tells me these are Falscher Enzian - False Gentian
The Rotkopf has no cross and the peak is forested, so the views down to Spitzingsee depend on breaks in the trees.

Just a beautiful place to go walking
Lovely
The Grünsee in the foreground, the Spitzingsee in the background
Back to the Roßkopf and the Bergstation for the Sesselbahnen.

The Roßkopf with its cross on the left
Afternoon view from the Roßkopf. Changes in light, changes in view
Der Plankenstein is a captivating rock peak, visible from Obere Maxlraineralm
It was 2pm when I got back to the Bergstation, and the Suttenbahn was going to be out of action for the rest of the day. Oh, well. I rode the Stümpflingbahn down, then back up and back down again to use up my ticket.

Everything is so green, despite it being the end of summer
Wandering back into Spitzingsee, I bought some postcards, stamps and an ice-cream.  I wrote out the postcards, then paddled in the lake before posting the postcards. It seems like ages since I’ve been able to do something as simple as post a letter.

Not very deep, and quite warm, too
Lovely views all round the lake
Quite a number of people making the most of the hot day
The town is at the far end
Back to the Taubensteinbahn for the journey up the mountain, then it's only a short downhill walk to Obere Maxlraineralm.

Looking back down
The gondola continues all the way up to the saddle at the top of the picture

Thursday, 3 September 2015

Der Raukopf

It's a 15 minute walk to the Taubensteinbahn Bergstation, and from there a 15 minute walk to either the Taubenstein (south) or the Raukopf (north-east).

The path to the Raukopf, heading up the ridge
The Lochgrabenalm looking north towards Spitzingsee
The Raukopf on the right, with its cross
Wonderful views everywhere
Not sure if these are wildflowers, or escapees, but they're pretty
Looking south to the Miesing (on the left). I've crossed that saddle!
The path to the Aiplspitz, looking precarious along the ridgetop
Yep - one would prefer not to get too close to the edge
Der Raukopf - 1689 metres
Looking back the way I came
The Bergstation, with the Taubenstein upper centre
Looking north...
...and south
The Taubenstein looks higher from this perspective

Der Taubenstein

The Taubenstein is a constant, here. It looms over us like a friendly giant. I can see it out of my bedroom window, but sometimes it disappears as we often seem to be living inside a cloud.  So far, I've climbed it twice - the first time on an overcast day, the second time at sunset on a beautiful day.

The colour changes frequently in the evenings. Sometimes grey
Sometimes yellow
Sometimes pink
And during the 15 minute walk up the Alm, it's there
Looking gorgeous in the sunshine
The peak is on the left, yet to be conquered
The final ascent, where there's a chain to aid climbers
And people on all the peaks, taking photos
It's nice just sitting and looking
There's Obere Maxlraineralm, 150 metres below
The Bergstation of the Taubensteinbahn (gondola), looking towards the Raukopf
The second time, I set off around 6.30pm. It's about a half hour walk to the peak if one doesn't stop, but there are always things to stop for - birds, wildflowers, views, breath.

Climbing near sunset and the colours are different
The rays of the setting sun provide an eerie ambience
The only person in the whole, wide world...
The Taubenstein sign on the cross - 1693 metres 
The layers of mountains fade into one another...





And I have to come down before it gets dark and I miss my footing. Beautiful.