We could already explore in more detail the upper parts of the trail. Did not look too long or difficult from below... ;)
We spent the first night at the camp ground at the end of the road. The next day, we used to test some of our gear, in particular the Firngleiters. It was fun, although a bit difficult (maybe because I tried to use them like normal skis). The following photo really makes me look a bit like a beginner...
On Sunday, we got up at 1am in the morning and started the summit attempt from the parking lot (2100m). Things were going very well and we reached the Helen Lake (3200m) at 4am. This is the place where many other hikers were camping overnight. We had a short break and put our crampons on, because the trail now went up a steep and icy slope. The crampons were pretty important, but the ice axe that was recommended by the local guide was of no use, so we were rather using the hiking poles.
Shortly below the so-called Red Banks (3900m), things were getting difficult for me, because of early forms of altitude sickness. I started to feel a slight head ache at exertion. However, at this point the scenery could still make up for it as you can see in the picture below. This is how it looks, when a big mountain casts a big shadow!
But the most difficult 400m were still before us... And the last slope before the plateau is called Misery Hill. There's a reason for that because it really looks like misery how humans try to slowly get to the top of it (4250m). Left foot... right foot... left foot... Don't stop... don't go too fast... keep a steady pace... It is some state of trance in which you move forward. The plateau looks really nice (and is really flat, which was far more important for me at that point!!).
And then, finally, done, the peak (4322m) at 8am. I was so relieved about having reached the top that I nearly forgot about enjoying the great scenery!
My head ache was steadily increasing and I also started to feel sick. So, we decided to descend quickly again. Unfortunately, we could not use the Firngleiters in the upper part of the mountain, because the snow was not soft enough. Only in the lower parts it was a real win to have them carried all the way up. Anyway, below 3500m I was quickly feeling OK again. We were back at the camp ground at about 2pm and at about 3pm at the local Round Table Pizza :) !So, while it was for sure an exciting trip, I think I've had enough 4km mountains for a while and will rather resort to Austria's "smaller" mountains, you know, bigger is not always better ;) !
