Fri, Aug 23

Post date: Aug 25, 2013 5:49:06 PM

Third day of hiking on the Alta Via di Merano loop. Our longest day of the trip. Goal is to begin the day by ascending a peak (10,400') above the Stettiner Hutte after breakfast, then descend over 7000' back to the valley floor and around the north end of the Merano Hohenweg, and down to St Martin (500m). The north end provides views of the back side of the Stubai Alps, where we were hut hopping a few weeks ago.

Link to todays pics on Picasa Web Album (combined days 2 and 3).

8am: after breakfast, ascend the peak ranging above our hutte (3175m/10,416 ft).

• route was well marked up to the col between the two peaks, then somewhat of a scramble to the top. Very good rock --- hand and foot holds. Special gear not needed.

9:30am: finish packing and leave Stettiner Hutte down the north side of the pass.

• over 7500 feet of descending today (down the glaciated valley).
• Hut's and checkpoints included Lazinseehof (1782m) -> Pfelders -Aeschbaum (1570m)
• -> Ausserhutt (jct that splits to valley town of Moos, but we split right around the north end of the Tellegruppe.
  • Many ascents/descents as one wraps in and out of the side valleys and streams, adding to elev +/-.
• -> Ulvas and Cresta, then quick descent to valley floor (500m/1640 ft) to beat the afternoon rain storm that was approaching.

Totals: 7 hours, 18.5 miles, 11,000 ft elev +/-