Gastautor
In the living room of the ibexes
Summer
10.07.2016
I have had an invitation for some time now. This invitation came from a local friend, hotelier, gourmet chef and trained hiking guide. “When you're back, give me a call and we'll do something together”, he kept saying. But as is often the case, something always came up. Until this one day in the fall hiking season last year. It was finally supposed to work out.
Into the mountains together with Martin Jäger
One fine afternoon, the doorbell rings and I'm delighted to hear the voice on the phone: "I'm going to walk around the Widderstein tomorrow. What do you think, are you coming with me?". I had already been there on my own a few days earlier, but as this tour is one of my favorite hikes that you can do again and again, I happily agree.
And so it was that I arrived at Alpenhof Jäger the next morning and first met the house guests who would be hiking with me that day. Martin Jäger, the senior manager of the hotel and a qualified hiking guide, regularly takes his house guests into the mountains - and I am allowed to join this group.
On the way through the Gemsteltal valley
We set off in a good mood. First by bus towards Bödmen, then a stretch along the Breitach and finally along the beautiful Gemstelbach through the Gemsteltal valley. A leisurely run-in with the group this morning gives us plenty of opportunity to get to know each other - great, the chemistry is right, it's a good fit. There is also plenty of opportunity to enjoy the fresh morning: the chirping of the birds, the chirping of the crickets, the fresh morning dew and the first rays of sunshine.
Anyone who knows the route knows that the ascent begins at the Hintergemstelalpe. As I know the path well, I lead the way, while Martin guides his group of house guests safely, even at the few more critical sections, and is not stingy with explanations. As far as the Obergemstelalpe, there are once again enchanting views and insights, e.g. down into the valley or into the Gemstelklamm gorge.
Hike full of surprises
We rest briefly at the Obergemstelalpe - and then the surprise for me. I was still in the belief that we would now continue to the Widderstein. Far from it! I must have mentioned that I had often thought about the path branching off at Obergemstel in the direction of Geißhorn and Mindelheimer Hütte, but had never walked it. Only here - at an altitude of 1,700 m after a good two hours of walking - do I discover the real destination of “the journey”: Geißhorn, Mindelheimer Hütte and descent through the Kemptner Scharte. The surprise was a real success! I'm as happy as a little child under the Christmas tree. I'm always up for exploring new paths - and so a relaxed hike turns into an exciting day.
We say goodbye to the host of the Obergemstelalp hut, who tells us that he spotted ibex in the morning, which have their living room on the Geißhorn - this is going to be really exciting. So keep your eyes peeled - will we be lucky enough to see them?
The way to the Mindelheimer Hütte
The path on the left to the Sterzer Hütte is no longer quite so steep and from the “Sterzer Seele” we take a serpentine ascent up to the saddle and the Koblat border point. I am amazed at how easily and quickly the meters of altitude now melt away under our feet. Another short rest at the Koblat Pass and time to make a decision, as our hiking group will split up for a short time. The men want to take the Geißhorn summit with them, while the women will take the path heading north directly to the Mindelheimer Hütte. Two hearts are now beating in my chest, I am torn and want to be able to split up. It's a damn difficult decision. But in the end I decide to go with the women. The Geißhorn summit will still be there next summer - and after all, there are other plans and goals. Via the “Schwabengrat” and the “Wilden Gund”, we finally reach the Mindelheimer Hütte, the starting point for numerous hiking and climbing tours, on our very own section of the “Via alpina”.
Culinary delights
Now we have earned some refreshments. And here you can taste the mountains: regional products, meat from the valley farmers, game from the Rappenalp valley, cheese from the surrounding Alps, pasta products from our own production and cakes from our own production. The roast onion is always from the biggest ox in the Allgäu! Of course, photos are a must, a message bursting with pride and joy to the friends who stayed in the valley and then quickly pack away the cell phone so that it doesn't fall victim to the hut's own “cell phone switch-off”.
After a long rest and after the group is reunited, the easy ascent to the Kemptner Scharte awaits us. From here, the very exciting descent to the Hinterwildenalpe begins. A narrow path, partly secured by ropes, winds its way in serpentines through a steeply sloping scree field towards the Wildental valley. You shouldn't be afraid of heights, but you should definitely be free from giddiness and sure-footed! Only then can you really enjoy the exposed descent, which ultimately crowns this tour.
An unforgettable tour
Finally, we reach the Fluchtalpe and the day ends with a run through the Wildental valley.
This panoramic circular tour with the option of climbing not only the Geißhorn but also the Kemptner Köpfle offers an unforgettable experience. It offers a unique and very varied landscape and fantastic views of the surrounding mountains, which I can't even begin to list. However, as a difficult tour, it also requires a good level of surefootedness and, above all, fitness, as it takes around seven to eight hours to complete. There are around 18 km and around 1,400 meters of altitude to conquer.
But if you can fully commit to it, I promise you a fantastic day in the mountains. Last September was the first time I did the Geißhorn round tour, but it certainly won't be the last. The summit is still waiting to be conquered!
