25th August 2010

Well today we tried our first guided hike. We drove to a close suburb and parked in time to catch the 'Wanderbus' or Hiker's Bus. There were 2 guides on board, one to take the easy hike and the other to do the harder hike. They checked our shoes as we got on board the bus and took us a while to work out why. If you didn't have good hiking shoes you couldn't go up into the mountains. But if you didn't have good hiking shoes that was ok because you could get free use of shoes from the tourist office. The overall service of the free guided hikes is brilliant. One couple didn't even have a backpack so they lent them one for several days. So they had free use of shoes, backpack, hiker's bus, guide. What can be better. We didn't have to worry about where to go for the day, how to get there, where to park etc... We just had to get to one of the seven  pick-up points.

Today we went to the Wetterstein Mountains and the Wetterstein Hutte. We hiked for 3hrs15minutes, firstly through the forest on rough track covered with tree roots, then on narrow gravel track to the hut and then the return via gravel forestry road. We enjoyed the hike, gaining 600m in height to get to the hut. And as usual, it was busy. Another hot day and it was a relief to arrive at the hut, have a cold drink and some shade. And, as usual, the hut was situated in a fantastic location. Right at the base of the Wetterstein Mountain. After a short break, I was keen to go up further and closer, but that is one of the short-falls if you are with an orgainsed group, you can't do your own thing. But we had some great views and were satisfied with that.

We decided to take the harder hike and our guide was named Heinz. He was great. Skinny as a rake and I can understand why, when he guides a lot of these hikes during the summer. Here is Heinz with one of the group. He set a fast pace, but we were able to keep up ok.