I took Friday off work due to there being a moderately ok forecast and wanting to get into the mountains. As the weather wasn’t perfect we decided to stay in the Bavarian Alps and head back to the Spitzingsee area. This time we elected to do a circuit up the scramble north ridge of the Aiplspitz and then traverse over to the Jägerkamp, before descending to the Spitzingsattel.
As we left Munich we were not convinced about walking as it was raining heavily just south of Munich and in the mountains, which was not in any of the forecasts. We decided that as the only thing we were waisting was time we took the train down to Geitau anyway, with the hope that the rain would stop and the plan to head back home on the next train if it was still raining.
Thankfully by the time we got to Geitau the weather had significantly improved and we set off on our planned walk. The views were brilliant from the start, with a wonderful view up the valley which we were going to walk up and a view of the north east face of the Ailpspitz.
The walk up to the Geitauer Alm was easy, but relatively steep which meant we made good but sweaty progress as we quickly gained height and made up lots of time relative to the signed times. During the ascent we enjoyed wonderful views out of the valley as we approached the forest, and then the fleeting views as we climbed higher in the forest.
After the Geitauer Alm we were soon at the start of the scramble, which was pretty enjoyable but very easy. All too soon we were at the summit and the end of the scrambling which was a shame, but it did mean we could refuel and eat our lunch with wonderful views in every direction on a deserted summit.
The walk around to Jägerkamp was much busier but still very enjoyable, however we made the wrong decision about the descent, and should have returned the way we had come before descending down to the Spitzingsattel. We descended the southwest/south ridge, which started with a path which was very overgrown by mini trees, and then as we started the direct descent down to the huts, the path turned to very slippery mud.
We elected not to stop at an Alm as we could catch the next bus if we didn’t stop, and the sky was starting to look very ominous. As we started the final part of our descent it rained enough for us to get our waterproofs out, but thankfully it didn’t go on for too long. We made the bus we were aiming for in good time, and while we were waiting the heavens opened, so I was very happy with our decision to not stop for a drink at the hut!
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