Lechtal Alps Backpack - Day 3 - Muttekopf Hutte to wild camp near Hanauer Hutte

Monday 14 July 1980 - diarist: Martin - Muttekopfhutte to wild camp near Hanauer Hutte 

The mattress was so cosy that most of its occupants overheated. An early rise presented a sandwich of scenery between the respective cloud levels of 3500 metres and 1500 metres. The full, albeit continental, breakfast did not include any beans. However, we set sail with a fair wind after Colin had taken the wrong route (but also forgot his rucksack), and I thought I saw a sparrowhawk.

Left Muttekopfhutte 8 am after an exquisite (ie very pleasant) sojourn there. Is it will it was it raining? Black lizards (salamanders?) mating; some friendly long-eared dingaling sheep. Mist in the valley.

Ascending path 622

Looking back down the valley to Muttekopf Hutte

The weather cleared. After a hard kick or two the ridge was attained, whence we perused many Alps, not least Heiterwand and, more distant, Gr. Grottenkopf. 

At Scharnitz joch 2438 metres

Soft glissades and sunshine. 

Glissading to Hahntennjoch

The view back to Muttekopf

Signpost to Anhalter Hutte

The view towards Boden, with Spitkopf

Eventually descended to a stream near the road and consumed our first lunch of the day. Much changing into shorts. Nick's and Colin's were particularly silly. Lots of tourists and Alpine flowers. What happens when you throw a piano down a mineshaft? At this point I assumed the congregation's reaction and bogged off. (This was all written over 40 years ago on our first Alpine trip...) 

Passing through Boden

The stroll down to Boden was picturesque and followed a stream. A brief interlude at this tourist centre revealed ye original haymakers, an extortionate beer garden, a post box, and some curious foreigners (maybe it was my legwear). Dave escorted us at breakneck pace to the foot of the steep hill to Hanauer Hutte, where during our brew Ruaridh negotiated a lift up for our packs on the hut transport system. The said packs were duly transported part way up, then back down again. Ruaridh is now renegotiating (to be continued). A Flat Miner.

Route 601 to Hanauer Hutte

Gully diversion

The rucksacks were collected at Hanauer Hutte after Ruaridh had exercised his cinematographical prowess and Dave (Josh) Scruby had drenched himself under a massive waterfall. 4:30 pm. Set up idyllic camp near the hut, much to the warden's surprise. "How long are you staying at the hut?" he asked.

Our campsite, with Dremelspitze

Much bathing in ice cold river - we are on the melting snow line. Tents look out to Kl. Schlenker Sp. (2748 m), Hanauer Sp. (2553 m) and Dremel Sp (2741 m) - spectacularly pointed. 

The view of the valley towards Boden is also very picturesque despite green blight up to 2000 metres in places. Dominating features to the north are Egger Muttekopf (2379 m) and Ubelwand (2744 m) on the right, and, more distant but equally enticing, Elmer Muttekopf (2357 m) and its exciting ridges (named after an early fatality involving American tourism), and in the far distance the 'rounded' peak of Schwarzhanskar Sp. some 12 miles away, can be clearly espied. On the near left, Potschallkopf's summit (2589 m) is cheekily exposed behind a spectacular foreground. Sod it. Nick's just reclaimed the map. RMP rules ok. The sun is shining. Snap, snap, click, clank bang. 

More beef bourguignon and rice. Delicious. Nick and Colin bogged off to Hanauer Hutte. The rest followed. Beer and schiewasser. Colin had a Gentian schnapps and had to drink it quickly before it evaporated (it was refluxing heavily). Ruaridh chickened out. Colin's weather forecast (as interpreted from the warden) - "the stuff from yesterday could come back again". I am told there is a good view from the smelly bog.

                               Today's route - 14 km with 1100 metres ascent

Next Day
Back to Index