Hochkalter Crossing, August 16, 2022

First off, the elevation figures are nonsense. After taking a break, I forgot to turn the recording back on. It was probably around 1,900 meters of ascent and descent. The walking time was about 8.5 hours. The traverse requires some alpine experience, sure-footedness, and a head for heights. The ascent to the hut is easy and manageable even without alpine experience, but it’s mostly along supply trails and thus a bit boring. The view from the Blaueishütte (known for its delicious cake) makes up for it. What makes it special is that the rest of the route isn’t secured. However, the trail is well-signposted and very well-marked. As a result, the Hochkalter—which is not only a neighbor of the Watzmann but once formed a single mountain with it—is somewhat more challenging to hike than the Watzmann. Real Grade 2 climbing and unsecured ridges aren’t insurmountable, but they can be overwhelming—or, conversely, a great source of joy. I was surprised by how few people were there, so I recommend not going alone if possible. The descent through Ofental is a detour—very steep, but without any key sections. At the end, there’s a long hike through the valley. Good weather is an advantage; I wouldn’t want to cross there in wet conditions. After the Blaueishütte, there are no streams or anything like that, so be sure to bring enough water.