5

good day doing single pitch sport climbs on Himmelsberg, this slabby crag in a splendid setting provided routes on water worn grooves with excellent friction.

 

Pete and Roger also did 5 pitches on BW2 at around Grade IV. On the same day John, Brian and Betty did the Alpspitze Via Ferrata up and down. The day stayed fine enough to give views from the summit but loud thunderclaps in the afternoon encouraged us not to stay on the mountain too late.

        

A couple of marginal weather days were spent at Herrgottschrofen a.k.a. ‘the crag across the river’. This conglomerate limestone sport crag proved to be steep, polished and uncompromising but gave a good workout to all comers. Brian, Jean and Margaret visited the spectacular Partnachklamm Gorge. Other days were spent doing long bike rides and a number of hills around Garmisch, notably Kramerspitz, Wank (pronounced Vank) and Ettaller Manndl were ascended.

 

Brian, Jean, Jim and Betty took the cable car to Kreuzeck, and walked up to the Hupfleitenjoch at 1754m then down to the Knappenhauser hut and followed the wire ropes to the Hollentalanger hut and down through the spectacular Hell Valley Gorge.

 

John and Roger upheld the Alpine tradition by setting out exceptionally early and climbing the Zugspitze (2,963 metres and the highest mountain in Germany) via Hollental taking in the Hollentallkalm gorge, the upper snow field and cable sections. Reaching the summit in 7 hours they were rewarded with fine views across the mountains of Germany and Austria. Jim, Betty, Brian, Jean and Margaret made the trip to the summit by cable car and also enjoyed good views 

 

John Harison climbing at Himmelsberg