We first sat around for an hour in the Gaststube hoping that the weather would improve and talking to our German friend from last night. We then decided to try the path  to the pass without packs to see what it was like. The path was partially covered in snow and fairly steep over slippery rocks. The two ladies quickly decided to call it a day, and to go  to Vienna as planned, but two days early.

So now it was just the two "oldies" aged  65 and 56. We said goodbye to the ladies at the hut and made it easily up to the pass and then down very steeply at first (cables,a few nasty spots)   to the nicely situated Sulzenau Hut (2191m). The weather started to clear on the way down and we had fine views. There is an alternate higher route from the Nurnberger Hutte to the Sulzenauhutte over the Maierspitze (2781m) but we did not try it because of the poor visibility and snow.

More pictures:

• Orval on the top of the Niederl Joch with   usual cross.
• Scene next to the Sulzenau Hutte.
• View from the Sulzenau Hutte that evening.

Pictures that those who stayed at the Waldcafe took on their day hike two days later to the Sulzenau and Dresdner Huts:

• On our way to the Sulzenau  Hutte.
• Half way up to the Hutte. A view from below.
• A goat that wanted milking
  

Orval near the top of the Niederl Joch
(click on picture for enlarged version)

Sulzenau Hutte
(click on picture for enlarged version).