July 30, Mon: Heilronner Weg- AMAZING

Goal: Climb from Kempener Hutte (1845m) to Madelegabel (2645m) and high trail over to Rappensee Hutte.

• Awoke at 6am with storm dying down.
• By end of breakfast, stopped raining.
  
• Everyone scrambled to prep their packs and try to beat the weather, hoping it would improve.



• After 30 minutes on trail hit main junction. Left is E5 trek and everybody went that way.
  
• We turned right and headed upward into the clouds.
  
• Got to mini-summit with view of 10 to 20 meters, wind howling, and snow field to cross.
  
• Previous night it snowed up here and wiped out the foot steps. One pair of climbers were ahead of us some where, so followed footsteps. Did figure 8 as they too were looking for signs of the trail.
  
• We were very fortunate to view a somewhat rare animal on 10 m from us in the clouds. We found out later it was a steinbock. Will research it later.
  
• Never did see them, but heard someone below us in the clouds. Eventually connected with them --- a wonderful father/son combination from Germany.
  
• We ended up becoming good friends and hiked with them for the remainder of the day.
  
• Navigated over the passes up to Madelegabel (2645m) amidst hail, high winds, and the boys hair had icicles on it. We were dressed well with a shirt and windbreaker, light gloves and as long as we kept moving it was bearable.
  
• See pic for horizontal and vertical ladder at the Heilbronner Weg to move between peaks. I´ve seen pics of this and have wanted to accomplish this trek for many years. So cool.
  
  



• Shortly thereafter the trail squeezed through a verrrry narrow opening. Must have been interesting creating this route.



• We all took turns breaking trail and leading. The young son (19 yrs) was very good on the uphill (humbled us with deep breathing).
  
• Lee and I both agreed this was the most amazing day yet, and it wasn´t even half over.
  
• Descended to Rappensee Hutte, 2092m (our goal) by1:50pm.
  
• Had deserts and tea at the Hutte (with the father/son). We all decided it was much to early in the day to stay, so continued on down the valley.
  
• Hit the Enzian Hutte an hour later, and keep on descending back into the Oberstdorf valley and decided to stay at the Einodsbach Hutte (1115m). Great decision.



• 24Euro per person, inc. breakfast.
  
• Had a great dinner with Rainer and Felix (father/son). We had a local special called LeberKase, mit spiegelei and bratkart for 7.50Euro.
  

Long, hard, beautiful, incredible day to remember. 7700 feet ascend/descend, 11.5 miles (over 27,000 steps according to the pedometer).

To date:

• 46,000 feet ascend/descend
  
• Over 170 miles hiking/climbing.
  
• Every day rated a TEN to this point.
  
• No injuries worth mentioning, ready for Switzerland in two days.