impressions from the alps

I feel faint under the pressure…If I had been alone, I would have thrown myself to the ground, I would have bitten the stones, the beautiful, sliming, green and garnet-red stones, and the dust with its sparks of gold. . . . I was possessed by nature like a violated virgin. For a moment my soul left me to melt into the luminous mass of the Breithorn… Yes, extravagant as it may sound, for some moments I was the Breithorn.
(Romain Rolland, “Memoires et fragments du Journal”, notes taken September 1889)

The Mischabel Group above Saas-Fee in the Wallis Alps seen from Weissmies (4023m). From left to right: Rimpfischhorn (4199m), Breithorn (4164m), Allalinhorn (4020m), Alphubel (4206m), Täschhorn (4491m), Dom (4545m), Lenzspitze (4294m), Nadelhorn (4328m), Stecknadelhorn (4241m), Hohberghorn (4219m), Weißhorn (4506m), Grand Gendarme (4331m), Bishorn (4153m).

Europe’s central mountain range is like the Himalayas very young and both are still growing – only 1.5 millimeters per year, though. The Alps are famous for their ragged and bizarre rock formations and the diversified landscapes. Here are some photo stories from my hikes:

For many years I lived close to a huge lake in the German Alps – the Walchensee in Bavaria. I observed and imbibed nature around me.

The Arnplattenspitze (2171m) is a peak in the Arn group of the Wetterstein range. It’s an easy hike with a few challenging meters in the end. There are gorgeous views to all directions – Karwendel, Wetterstein, Inn Valley, Isar Valley.

The Wilder Kaiser is a group of mountains close to Kufstein and the Inn Valley. It’s famous for its rugged peaks and its white limestone. The Ellmauer Halt is the highest of the peaks with 2344 m.

The Erlspitze (2405) is at the Western edge of the Karwendel Alps. It’s a nice trip from Hochzirl near Innsbruck.

The Gehrenspitze (2367m) is located south of the main Wetterstein range and above the Leutasch Valley. Wetterstein Hut is great for a break.

The Großvenediger is one of the highest and most prominent peaks in the Eastern Alps (3657m). It’s the highest peak of the Hohe Tauern mountain range.

The Habicht is a prominent mountain in the Stubai Alps (3277 m) offering great views in fair weather conditions.

The Hochfeiler is the highest peak of the Zillertal Alps (3509m). The summit is exactly on the border between Austria and Italy. It’s the only point of Italy directly visible from Munich and other places in Bavaria.

Piz Palü (3900m) is a major peak in the Bernina Alps in Switzerland. The whole mountain around Piz Palü, Piz Zupo and Piz Bernina has been named the “throne room of the Alps” because of its majestic beauty.

Coming soon!

The Schrankogel (3497m) is the second highest mountain of the Stubai Alps (after the Zuckerhütl, 3507m). Nowadays the summit is accessible without crossing glaciers. It is, however, a very long and sometimes steep ascend from Sulz Valley, even if you stay overnight at Amberger Hut (2135m).

The Wiesbachhorn (3564m) is the third highest mountain of the Hohe Tauern range. The normal route is from Moserboden reservoir via Heinrich-Schwaiger-House, where you can stay for the night, to the summit. The views on a clear day are phantastic.