March 21, 2008, Durrenstein (Dolomites)
3/21/08
2525
1
Bad forecast for Tirol suggested we head south for the brief sun forecast there. Michael Stanton (aka ripsawridge, check out his awesome website!) was pumped for adventure after too many days at his desk in Munich, the Germans had provided him a four day holiday weekend, and Kris had given him a short kitchen pass, ahh the perfect storm.
He raced down the autobahn and reached Innsbruck after filling his gas tank and purchasing the requisite Austrian autoroute vignette. We were off to a hut at 2000m near Durrenstein on a driveable road. Bruneck provide a nice stop for Italian croissants and a visit to the old town and local sport shop. We reached the hut around 11, checked out the lager for the night, and headed up Durrenstein, a three hour tour. With Jennie setting the perfect pace, we reached the summit in only two hours, skied down in crusty conditions, and realized it was only 2PM and the other tours might not be worth hanging around to do tomorrow.
Down valley we went, had a nice Kaiserschmarm in Prags, and studied the guidebook for another tour for Saturday. Michael found one that tickled his fancy, so we headed back to Bruneck to position ourselves for it. The tourist office could find nothing cheaper than 28 euros each for the night, but suggested we drive closer upvalley toward our objective. We arrived at the center of the next town just as Good Friday church services were ending, providing us lots of Euro local color.
We found a nice room with a view for 24 euros, settled in, and Michael headed out for an hour run through the local hills while Jennie and I settled for a walk up to St. Michael´s castle nearby. Then we walked down into town after sunset and had a nice mixed salad and pasta (no meat on Good Friday!) No need for dessert, since we had it earlier in the afternoon. Light snow was falling on our hike back up to bed.
Next morning at sunrise I saw some blue sky before the fog rolled in and Michael and Jennie awoke. The breakfast spread was huge and included spiegel eier und speck (fried egg and bacon) plus enough bread, butter, cheese, meat, and jam to make a little lunch, too! The fog began lifting as we drove the road to Pederu revealing a Zion canyon like scene. The rest of the story is described in Michael´s post for Zehnerspitze.
He raced down the autobahn and reached Innsbruck after filling his gas tank and purchasing the requisite Austrian autoroute vignette. We were off to a hut at 2000m near Durrenstein on a driveable road. Bruneck provide a nice stop for Italian croissants and a visit to the old town and local sport shop. We reached the hut around 11, checked out the lager for the night, and headed up Durrenstein, a three hour tour. With Jennie setting the perfect pace, we reached the summit in only two hours, skied down in crusty conditions, and realized it was only 2PM and the other tours might not be worth hanging around to do tomorrow.
Down valley we went, had a nice Kaiserschmarm in Prags, and studied the guidebook for another tour for Saturday. Michael found one that tickled his fancy, so we headed back to Bruneck to position ourselves for it. The tourist office could find nothing cheaper than 28 euros each for the night, but suggested we drive closer upvalley toward our objective. We arrived at the center of the next town just as Good Friday church services were ending, providing us lots of Euro local color.
We found a nice room with a view for 24 euros, settled in, and Michael headed out for an hour run through the local hills while Jennie and I settled for a walk up to St. Michael´s castle nearby. Then we walked down into town after sunset and had a nice mixed salad and pasta (no meat on Good Friday!) No need for dessert, since we had it earlier in the afternoon. Light snow was falling on our hike back up to bed.
Next morning at sunrise I saw some blue sky before the fog rolled in and Michael and Jennie awoke. The breakfast spread was huge and included spiegel eier und speck (fried egg and bacon) plus enough bread, butter, cheese, meat, and jam to make a little lunch, too! The fog began lifting as we drove the road to Pederu revealing a Zion canyon like scene. The rest of the story is described in Michael´s post for Zehnerspitze.
Looks like you are making the most of your trip. Good on ya! Thanks for your reports.
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