Glockner Runde

by David Cleare

We were surprised four days before the start of the tour when our co-leader Frances Hinds broke her ankle leaving Peter Hinds no choice but to withdraw. Fortunately Ellie Howarth stepped in to save the tour.

Großer Muntanitz (3232m)

Day two started with a journey via Kaprun to Kesellfall Alpenhaus, then by bus and cableway to Mooserboden reservoir. Although the weather was inclement with very low cloud, the group completed the walk in less than 7 hours. We ended at the Berghotel Rudolfshütte (2315m), a deluxe hut indeed: luxury like this would not be encountered again on this tour.

After a terrific breakfast we soon found ourselves in low mist, rain and snow higher up. It was bitterly cold and we contemplated a retreat but decided to take the low valley route and descended towards a loch surrounded by a massive boulder scree field. We found a delightful alm but, unfortunately, we then had to climb back up to the Gradotz Sattel (2823m) before a short walk to Sudetendeutsche Hütte (2650m).

Protected tower on Großer Muntanitz, 3232m
photos by Leonnie Cann

On our third day we woke up to beautiful sunshine (at last!) and we set off to climb the Großer Muntanitz 3232m. Four stopped at the Kleiner Muntanitz, while the rest went on to the Großer Muntanitz. This involved a cabled descent down a narrow icy gully and the steep, protected tower followed by an easy ascent to the summit. Views all around were spectacular to say the least.

Glorer Hutte to Glocknerhaus 2132m. Some enjoyed an early climb from the hut to catch the sunrise and also to witness a mind blowing temperature inversion to the west. Then we took the path to Salm Hütte (which offered some superb views to the Grossglockner), then on to Glockner Haus (2132m) where we had a rest day with tourist activities and a short walk up towards Pfandlscharte.

We woke to brilliant sunshine and a taxi ride to Fusch via the famous Glockner High Alpine Road which provided amazing views all around. We prepared with drinks and cake before the tough 1400m ascent to the Gleiwitzer Hütte.

Another beautiful day saw us set off with a gentle ascent through wild flowers. This came to an end when we were confronted by a steep rocky gully with a whole range of protection. The top of the gully opened on to a narrow ridge, still quite steep and cabled, which climbed around 400m to the Obere Jägerschartl on the main ridge to Kempsenkopf. The last 400m took longer than expected but on reaching the top the view across to the Grossglockner and other glacier clad mountains was well worth the effort.

On our last day we set off north towards the Ponyhof and Kaprun, a grassy shoulder at first, then over a fence and a rocky ridge towards the village. After a couple of hours, we stopped for a breather and a snack, admiring the view over Zell am See and the Schmittenhöhe. In the distance were the limestone crags of the Steinernes Meer and the Kaisergebirge. Then off ever downwards through pine forests and the occasional meadow, eventually reaching the nursery slopes of Kaprun, a tiring descent of 1300m. After a late midday meal at a cafe, we got the bus back to Zell. Favourite huts: was it the Glorer and the Gleiwitzer? It certainly wasn't the Sudetendeutsche.

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