Finally, perfect weather.. Again a choice of routes to the next hut. We took the higher route over the Grosser Trogler 2902 metres. The trail went steeply up over grass with some cables in awkward spots then easily along an easy ridge over shattered rock to a false summit and then to the real summit. From the summit we had a grand view showing our planned and altered route of the previous few days. There were fine views of the glaciers to the south. The path down to the Dresdner Hut 2302 metres and the nearby Gondola station/Ski resort was steep but very easy.
From the Gondola station at about 2100 metres we took the second stage of the gondola to the big restaurant/stores/ski centre at 2900 metres and had a good lunch with all the tourists.The restaurant is at the foot of a glacier which is safe to walk on. It was an easy walk over the groomed snow trail to 3100 metres and another great view, ignoring the ski lifts all around.
The easy Schaufelspitze (3333 m) looked tempting, so while Orval watched, I followed footsteps through the snow to the top (easy but lonely trail) for an even finer view than from 3100 metres, including the Dolomites to the south. It seemed that I was on the top of the world, with peaks all around, mostly looking lower than the one I was standing on.. A nice ending to the first week of hiking.
So back down to the restaurant, gondola to the valley and bus back to the same Pension Zillertal in Innsbruck where we we had arranged to meet the rest of our group.. This was the end of the first part of my trip. My friends would be going home tomorrow.
My son David arrived from the UK that evening to join me for the Zillertal part of the trip.
Orval and a great view of the glaciers on the way up the Grosser Trogler.
(click on picture for enlarged version).
Stephen looking very small in the centre of the ridge on the way up the
Schaufelspitze 3333 m (peak on left)
(click on picture for enlarged version).
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