There and back again

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Actually we climbed parts of a route to the right of P6, as we somehow took the wrong artif part or turned right instead of left there.

The wrong part was quite tough, no protection on scary traverses...

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The famous Yatsumine ridge on Tsurugidake, one of the three great ridges of Japan (剱岳・八ツ峰主稜縦走) (more inside)The famous Yatsumine ridge on Tsurugidake, one of the three great ridges of Japan (剱岳・八ツ峰主稜縦走)

A nice climbing tour, a bit longer, on the from what one hears most difficult mountain in Japan. 1100m of altitude difference, 8 towers to pass, many rappels, so quite some technical knowledge is necessary. Besides that the climbing difficulties are minor, nothing above UIAA III.

On the evening before the climg the hut warden told us we will have to make a bivouac, the emergency service warned us that the conditions are very bad, the two friends of Masumi came back late at night from a small part of the ridge and were destroyed. Not the best introduction to the climb. Anyway we started, and we were back in time before dinner, no need for a bivouac.

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Perfect rock, delicious food and wine, beautiful sea - is there a better place to go climbing?(more inside)Sardegna has often been the target of my climbing trips. A perfect limestone, sometimes so sharp that it hurts, a crystal clear water, paired with excellent wine and food, Italian coffee, what can one ask more?

During this trip I managed to go the first time to the supposedly most beautiful Cala (bay) in the Mediterrean, the Cala Gonone, where there is an impressive tower. The trip there with the inflatable was half the fun, although going back in high sea was less a fun.

Looking forward to more trips to this beautiful area.

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The Massif d'Ecrin, Dauphine, is very popular in summer, but in winter it provides challenging ski touring in solitary surroundings. A preparation for the mountain guide exam.A traverse of the Massif d'Ecrin, Dauphine

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The Massif d'Ecrin, Dauphine, is very popular in summer, but in winter it provides challenging ski touring in solitary surroundings. As preparation for the mountain guide exam we made a one week trip through this area.

In winter the huts are not wardened and one has to bring everything, sleeping bag, stove, gas, food. The first day we walked in from the parking lot to the hut Refuge de l'Alpe de Villar-d'Arene, a nice hut with water near by, which remain our base for the next two nights.

The first real day, Day 2, we climbed the Montagne des Agneaux. Unfortunately due to some inconveniences I had to turn back before the top.

The next day we packed all our stuff and made a long traverse to the Refuge du Glacier Blanc, which included rappels and climbing. Great views from the hut to the Pic Lory/Massif des Ecrins.

Due to the deteriorating weather we decided to break out into the valley to Le Monetier-les-Bains. After a night in the valley, sure enough with good wine and food, we drove in the wild D530 (which often closes due to avalanches, so there was the real danger that we got stuck there) and after some hours of walking reached the Refuge de Chatteleret.

The last touring day we climbed to the Tete nord du Replat and returned to the hut, and on the following day back to the car and home.

A great and challenging trip, thanks to all.

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Traversing the Totes Gebirge (Dead Mountains) in Austria in Winter, 4 days in total isolation enjoying a spectacular environment.(more inside)A winter traverse of the Totes Gebirge (Dead Mountains) in Austria for four days. Total isolation, not one other human, deep snow, spectacular landscape. One of the best trips I had for a long time.

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The Totes Gebirge (Dead Mountains) is not famous for its huge mountains, nor for its steep walls, but for its waste area without any easy orientation point. It is more a high plateau than a mountain region. Traversing this area means taking good care for orientation, otherwise one might get lost easily.

We started with the lift in Ramsau, slided down a bit, and then we went off into the wilderness. A long day until we reached the Wildseehütte. But when we arrived, there we had a hard time finding the hut under all the snow. Finally we had to dig for quite some time to find the entrance and enter into the hut.

The next day saw deep fog and bad weather. We didn't want to remain completely locked in, so we slowly in carefully continued to the Appelhaus. Arrived there, we enjoyed some of the Schnaps that was available in the hut, and as the weather became better we started out exploring the next day's route without backpacks.

On the third day there was again spectacular weather and we followed the already made trails from the day before for the first hour, before continuing deep into the emptiness. Long hours later we arrived at the Pühringerhütte.

On the last day we choose to shorten our trip due to one lost day, and descended down to the Grundlsee.

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