Basic alpine course in Stubai

by Vicki Meilrakki

In early September six students from the University of Cumbria, all studying Outdoor Education, embarked on a journey to explore and experience the Stubai Alps, courtesy of the Austrian Alpine Club (UK). There was something new and exciting for all of us, be that stepping foot in Austria for the first time, or getting to use a new piece of gear. We had all arrived in Innsbruck the day before - most of us while the city was shrouded in darkness. After a tiring night sleeping on luggage carts we were amply rewarded with our first glimpse of the mountains.

Group on Sulzenau glacier

Our guides greeted us and drove us through great valleys lined with trees and past picturesque villages. We came to a cable car, taking in the beauty of the surrounding mountains as we ascended.

Dresdner Hütte was an inviting stone building with cosy wooden interiors. It was not long until the weather decided it wanted to make us feel even more at home by imitating England's grey drizzle. The warm shelter of the hut offered a perfect shelter as we tucked into, delicious Schnitzel and planned the next day's route.

Sulzenau glacier

As we left the glacier and moved further down the valley we caught the first glimpse of the Sulzenauhütte, a building with an unmistakably alpine aesthetic. The weather had dramatically transformed, giving us bright sun and temperatures, so much so that we decided to go for a swim in the bright blue lake. Our meal that night also gave us another first time as we were served 'pancake soup' (Frittatensuppe)!

The next day we came face to face with the glacier again as we donned our crampons and explored the lower part of the glacier. We jumped deep crevasses and learned many useful skills to keep us safe in the icy environment. The following day was equally as useful, as we took to the crags for some abseiling and climbing. Use of such skills is something we can take with us and can carry to our future careers. It was safe to say that by the time we were out climbing the weather had changed completely, giving us clear skies and burning sun.

Group on erratic on Sulzenau glacier
photos by Vicki Meilrakki

The afternoon on the fourth day saw us take on a small via ferrata - leaping from rock to rock over a raging waterfall and clinging to the side of a rock-face while the river surged below... We decided to take another swim on account of the heat. It was not long until we discovered that the Austrians also shared this love of swimming - only they were not so shy about taking off their clothes and jumping straight in!

It was always a pleasure to return to the hut in the evenings where the friendly staff would smile despite our poor German skills. The guides had taught us how to ask for a beer, but that was as far as our skills went. The meals were always brilliant with something new every night. It was more like staying in a cosy hotel than a mountain hut, the only difference being the views.

The next day was a tough trek to Müllerhütte, where the glacier skills came into use. There were the challenges of a perilous climb to reach the hut from where there was the view of the glacier all around. The return journey was no less challenging: the tiny ridge proved an exacting test of the skills we had learned.

The final day was a walk down through the valleys to meet the bus with the landscape changing from open crag and stunted spruce to wild forest. Passing the charming Sulzenau Alm with its carved figures and faces and crossing the bridges and wooden boards took us lower down. Our final sight was the vastness of the spectacular Wilde Wasser Weg.

The experience overall was something that we carried with us back to university. The skills we learned can be used on our courses and in our future careers and lives. The memories we made will be something we can keep forever. We all thank the Austrian Alpine Club (UK), the guides and those who organised the trip wholeheartedly for the opportunity. It is one that comes around very rarely and I believe we took advantage of it as best we could and took away much valuable experience.

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