Alps - Daily Log

Train thru Tuscanny's to Florence. Hotel Andrea. Walking tour: the main plaza's, Duomo Santa Croce (replica), open markets, River Arno & old bridge, up to Giardino (open air concert), the gardens @ Forte Belvedere.

Selva: Train to Innsbruck > STORY: a 10km section of tracks were under repair so they had us transfer onto a bus to the next village. However, the train station was no where in site. After several minutes we observed 2 nuns several blocks ahead walking really fast ... and figured they were headed to the station. Ran after them (full packs) and made it with but a few minutes to spare. Note they turned several corners and we temporarily lost them now and then.

Train to Brixen then on to Salzburg.
Stayed at Brigitte Langlachner. 2-mile walk from train station. Nobody home so we settled in what we THOUGHT would be our room. Washed clothes and hung on clothesline. Brigitte arrives and in broken English, WRONG decision, guys. Your room is upstairs. Oops. "And we're not a laundry mat". Oops.

Rented bikes. Rode down the river to smaller communities. Nite: trek through Old-Town (outdoor concerts), Mozart Gardens, Fortress above town, cafe's. Afternoon: trek through Old-Town (outdoor concerts), Mozart Gardens, Fortress above town,

Salzburg: Train to lake then boat across to Hallstatt. Hike past 'falls' up to Simony Hut. Steve joined us, then returned to town and toured the salt mines.

Rented bikes: biked to Reutte > Füssen > Pinswang > Hohenschwangau. Hiked up to Marionbrüke Bridge above Castle Neuschwanstein. Ascended to Tegelberkopf Hut, then descended other side back to our bikes; and biked home. Long day.

Ehenbichl > train to Oberstdorf (Bavaria/SW Germany). Lodging Gausthaus Liberia. Afternoon: ascended SeeAlpe > Rubihorn (3500' ascent). Descended via Gaisalpsee and stopped at Cafe Breitenburg. 14+ miles, long day.

Kempitner Hut > "snowing". Markers obliterated in thick clouds. Met a father/son up there and we figure-eighted until we located cairns. Ascended to Madelegabel > Heilbronner Weg (ladder) > Rappensee > Einodsbach Hut. Spotted several steinbock (protected and rare).

Einodsbach Hut > Oberstdorf (lodging @ Glattnerhaus in old town). Rest day.

Obersdorf: Train to Grindewald, Switzerland via Immenstadt > Lindau > Zurich > Interlachen > Lauterbrunen. Lodging @ Naturfreundhaus. Swiss Nat'l Holiday. Celebrations.

Grindewald: out the back door and ascent up to the Faulhorn via Waldspitz and Bachalpsee. THUNDER/LIGHTENING, river in the trail, speed-hiked to a tiny tin shelter (a black dot on our map). about 8 other non-English speakers in there, and pitch black. Yikes, definitely an experience. Had to retreat to Grindewald after the thunder relaxed a bit.

Grindewald. Bus to Gross Scheidegg (pass/TH) and ascended the SchwarzHorn in the clouds. Previous group only did a 'false summit' as we determined. Chain rail on one steep section.

Grindewald. Train to Lauterbrunen, then funicular up to Mürren. Lodging @ Sonnenberg. Tough, quick hike: > Rotstock Hut >> ascend to Shilthorn. 360 degree rotating platform. Very quick descent as the crow flies back to the Sonnenberg. Barely made it for the 5pm dinner. 4000' ascent, then descent.

Silvretta Hut > Alp Sparra > Berghaus Vereina. Base of the mountain pass. Weather forecast still bad. Met Lisa, Philip and Beppe from Zurich (familiar with the area) who are planning the same hike over the pass. Studied the maps and will tag along with them tomorrow.

Hut > SüserTal over Vereina Pass (wet, heavy rain and wind with snow on the pass). Nice weather as we descended on the other side to Lavin and Güarda. Hotel PizBuin. Toured old-town (scraffita art on buildings)

Guarda: > trails to Ardez > Tarasp > Scuol. Scraffito (art) on buildings in this region. Nice hike across the bridges and along the river.

Swiss Nat'l Park: bus from Scuol to TH. Val Minger over the pass (II Foss)and descent to to Tarasp and back to Scuol. Pack up and bus back to Klosters.

Zurich: bus to airport. Flight via Frankfurt, transfer, direct flight to PDX.