Die Aiplspitze

Today was really cold - less than 10 degrees - but it didn't rain. However, the rain from the previous five days has made the paths wet, slippery and muddy. I only have one pair of shoes so this is a bit of an issue, but this afternoon I walked up to the Taubensteinbahn Bergstation. It wasn't too bad, so I kept going, heading for the Aiplspitze (1758 metres). This meant going past the Raukopf.

Looking back at the Raukopf, which looks pink from this side

Die Aiplspitze is the smaller peak on the right

Once past the wide open Schnittlauchmoos Alm (wow - what a name!) the path became narrow and rocky following this warning sign:.

"Alpine experience, surefootedness and lack of vertigo necessary"

The beginning of the narrow path, with a great valley view

Narrow and running along cliff edges; Aiplspitze in background

Yep - that's where I'm heading!

No path here - just hang on to the rope and shimmy across the almost vertical rockface

Looking up at the Aiplspitze. The path is difficult to discern

The view from the peak is amazing. Flatlands to the north, high mountains to the southeast and southwest, and so many familiar paths and peaks. I sat on top and thought - yep, I've walked there; I've climbed that. Almost like old friends.

Looking south-west from the cross on the Aiplspitze

SW: Miesing on the left; Taubenstein & Raukopf towards the right

West: Taubenstein & Raukopf on the left

NW: Jagerkampf on the right (which I didn't climb)

North: Schliersee, and beyond is Munich (not visible)

NE: I think the town of Bayrischzell is in this valley

East: tallest peak is Wendelstein (left of centre)

SE: looking at Austria with the Miesing on the right

Taubenstein lower left. Note the snow on the higher mountains at the top

The beginning of the path back the way I came

Two guys and a dog ahead of me (the second chap is wearing green)

Heading back, I walked to the saddle at the far edge of the Schnittlauchmoos Alm, thinking I'd be able to see Spitzingsee. No such luck. Headed back on a very muddy track.

Schnittlauchmoos Alm, with the Aiplspitze on the left

Schnittlauchmoos Alm and the path home

The track leading back up the Raukopf. Looks steep because it is steep!

The Lochgrabenalm with the Blankenstein rock in the background

Der Schwarzenkopf

On Tuesday the weather looked good in the morning, so off I went again. Up the Alm for a bit, then I cut across and climbed the ridge behind the hut. No path, and it was really steep.

Stopping and resting during the steep climb

The view over the other side of the ridge

The daisy's pretty. The hoverfly obviously thought so, too.

Once at the top, I made my way along the ridge downhill towards Spitzingsee. Again - no path, and quite a steep drop over the other side.

This anthill is about 80 cm high. I've seen quite a few of them around

Yes, well - this is what happens when you can't hold handstands any more

A nice, steep drop down into the valley

I'm standing in front of the Taubenstein

When I could go no further, I headed sideways, knowing I'd connect with the track from Obere Maxlraineralm to the bottom of the cargo lift.  It took a while because it was so steep, but I found the track and turned downhill.  When a proper path led off to the right towards the Schwarzenkopf and the Spitzingsattel, I followed it.

The path through the fir forest

And then a patch where the main tree is beech

Coming out of the forest, looking at Schwarzenkopfhaus

I don't think I actually climbed the Schwarzenkopf. The ridge I did climb was just part of the mountain that peaks at the Taubenstein outcrop. Oh, well. Once I emerged from the forest, I headed down the road, eventually coming to the turn-off towards the cargo lift, which is how everything gets to the hut - food, drink, washing, helpers with suitcases, that sort of thing.

I think this is Untere Maxlraineralm

Obere Maxlraineralm is up the road on the left

The Schinder, a double-headed mountain in Austria

The road towards Obere Maxlraineralm, with a view of the Taubenstein on the left

The Valepp valley on the way to Spitzingsee Ort

 Once in town, I bought an ice-cream and then headed for the Taubensteinbahn.

Hiking trails from Spitzingsee, plus a sign for Obere Maxlraineralm

Hot enough again to go paddling in the Spitzingsee

The last couple of towers on the Taubensteinbahn

Silberdistel flowering on the Obere Maxlrainer Alm

The flowers are really stiff and spiky, and 8-10 cm across

And cows on the Alm when I got back (plus the sound of cowbells!)

Living in a cloud

The Alps are really changeable. Clouds can come and go very quickly, or sometimes they stay. The view is different every time you look. The following photos were taken in a 24 hour period. The first six are from yesterday afternoon (in time order), taken over about a two hour period.

These next photos are from this morning, this time taken over about a three hour period.