Mikes Blog

Falken to Hochgrat and supper with Teresa and Holger

25th April

One of the things I love to do if possible while here, is run from the bottom of Hochgratbahn (Gondala) at about 900 mettres, across country and up to Falkenhutte, and then up to the peak Falken (about 1600 metres) . The route then goes along the ridge for about 3 kms , over some bumps and trough some saddles, to the Hochgrat (at 1850 metres) before descending back down to the car park.
But today I won’t run. It is a beautiful day and Zita is keen to come for the walk as well. So we pack lunch and leave early. On the way we stop at the posh holiday resort of Oberstaufen which also has a KurKlinik. I buy a new running jacket – well made and good price – and a walking pole @$20.
We drive on through Steibis and to the car park at the Gondola base station.
Off up the hill at a good pace. I have told Zita it will take about three hours to do the circuit – but I don’t really know! First up a little mountain road, then bare right onto a track that traverses under the steep slopes and cliffs of the ridge above. At this higher altitude the plants in the meadows are different. There are large slopes of grass land covered also in gentians, white and blue. Damper gullies are often filled with a type of alpine buttercup.
This winding foot track takes us to the turn off up to Falken Hutte, and we skirt our first patches of snow. We see a couple of runners on the trail – both female. I would never have seen runners 10 years ago.
The ridge ahead I have walked and run a few times over the years. It has steep little sections and you need to cross the heads of some some steep gullies which can be dangerous if filled with hard snow. There is still plenty of snow around so it is uncertain if we will get along the ridge or forced to turn back. I can remember a particular gulley that could be the problem. This adds an edge to our traverse.
We get to the top of Falken and the views are stunning. We can look south and see many of the mountains of the Allgau and Bregenzer Alpen (up to about 3000 metres) generally still covered in winter snow.
Our route along the ridge is just fantastic. To the left are cliffs varying between 50 and 100 metres high. Below them are steep grass and wooded slopes generally snow covered.
To our right it is not so steep but still steep enough, with rocky or grass slopes, others with forest cover, falling 800 metres to the valley below. The track itself winds enchantingly along this fascinating ridge over little summits, beside big drops, through steep gully heads, sometimes in forest.
Our steep “problem” gully is snow free and no problem at all.
All too soon we reach the other end of the ridge and sit for lunch with a perfect panorama.
We need to get to Kempten to change some clothes Zita had bought me but which were the wrong size. So we now head off down the hill at a trot. It is great for me that Zita is happy to run this section – good fun and half the time or less than a quick walk. Her light day pack is rubbing uncomfortably so I take that as well, wearing it in front.
We arrive at the can with a travel time of 3hrs 20 mins.
We drive to Kempten and get shopping complete. I buy another German language book. We have a quick dinner at home and then go. off to visit Holga and Teressa, who stayed with us for a while in NZ. Vary nice to see them. I follow the German OK for a while but then get tired so drift off. Teressa has a a poster up in the apartment with the text:
“Du fragst mich
Was soll ich tun?
Und ich sage:
Lebe wild und gefahrlich
Artur”

Translation:
“You ask me
What shall I do?
And I say:
Live wild and dangerously
Aurthur”