Aug 7, Wed (day 3)

Post date: Aug 7, 2013 8:34:53 PM

Picasa Album for pics --Leutasch region

Jim J. recommended this loop, and it was spot-on. Looking at the topography and climb up to Gehrenspitz I decided to reverse the direction so I would gain elevation more rapidly and be fresh for the climb earlier in the day. It ended up being a perfect decision.

4000 feet from valley floor to summit of Gehrenspitz, so well over 8000' of elev +/- today. Only saw two people on the trail descending through the valley.

7am breakfast

Drive Inzing -> Telfs -> Klamm (Leutasch region) for TH (trailhead) to Wetterstein Hut and loop.

• Pouring down rain upon arrival, which is good news. 15 minutes later it passed over and sunny (and overcast) skies arrived.
• Stopped at <I>nformation in Klamm to get local map and ask a few questions (bus schedule, etc.).

10am: TH (1200m) -> Wetterstein Hut -> Wangalm (20 euro for zimmer B&B). Hmmm. Next time for sure. About 90 minutes up to here.

• Trail up to Scharnitzjoch (pass) (2042m)
• Jct to climb Gehrenspitz (2367m). Sign says 2 hours to summit. Hmmm. Only took 90 minutes --- round trip, including lunch on top. I was the only person in sight up here.
  • 4000' climb --- 3 hrs 15 minutes, inc. rest stops and visit at Wetterstein Hut.
  • Views over to Germany (we're hiking right on the border) and the Zugspite (Germany's tallest peak).
  • Views the full length of the Leutasch valley --- 4000 feet below.
• Desended to the pass, then headed downhill through the spectacular Puittal (Puit Valley), directly below the summit I was standing on less than 1 hour earlier.
• Hit the valley floor at 3:15pm, coming out at Lehner. Since there was plenty of time left in the day, I decided not to take the bus back to the car. The 3 1/2 mile walk was pleasantly level and passed through the back side of the little villages along the way (Gasse, Kirchplatzl, ObereWiese, Plaik, and on to Klamm.)
• 4:45pm back at car. Other than tired feet, felt great. No soreness or unexpected fatigue. Kept pulse at 120 throughout the day.
• Soaked feet in Leutaschner Ache (River). Felt great.

Dinner at Gastof Stollhofer.

DAILY TOTALS: 14 miles, 8000 feet elev +/-