With an easing of restrictions we were able to head somewhere with more than two households in the car, which was a very nice change. After some changes in the group size, and a few changes in objective, we settled on the Entschenkopf. We chose the route as it was relatively low for the Allgäu, which hopefully meant that it would be snow free, but the route looked like an excellent ridge and there was even a lake on the descent to cool off in.
After getting to the car park just in time to get one of the last few parking spaces, we headed off up the Gaisalpbach, which was a beautiful gorge full of waterfalls and walkways. Unfortunately as we left the gorge the woods started thin out and we increasingly spent more time ascending in the sun, which was very hot! We were soon at the top off the tree line, and the start of the ascent up to the Entschenkopf ridge. This was very hot, but the views were beautiful, if very hazy. There was also a large assortment of beautiful alpine flowers, which framed the brilliant views.
After a bit of easy scrambling we were soon at the top, where we could admire the view. It was a shame it was so hazy, but nonetheless it was beautiful. Unfortunately we couldn’t enjoy lunch at the Gipfel as the summit seemed to have no breeze and lots of flies, after a short descent we stopped for a very enjoyable lunch in the sun, with a stunning view.
The descent was along the ridge and was just brilliant, everything hill walking is about for me. All too soon it was time to start the descent past the two lakes, and they couldn’t have been more of a contract, the upper lake, the Oberer Gaisalpsee, was still melting from winter and was mostly covered in ice. While the lower lake, the Unterer Gaisalpsee, had loads of people sunbathing on the shore, and a few people “swimming” (briefly getting in the cold water to cool off…).
After a refreshing swim we started the rest of the descent, which was very easy on the legs and soon we were back down at the car. As we were in no rush to get back, we headed to a local bar for a beer and some chips which a wonderful view of the mountains.
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