Hut to Hut Hiking in the
Bavarian Alps 2011
Saturday September 10, 2011 through Wednesday September 21, 2011
The Trip
Germany is an ideal country for the mountain hiker. The grandeur of the Alps is an everpresent backdrop, and within this magical mountain landscape lie expansive hiking trails,
alpine meadows, traditional huts, and picturesque villages with their colorful decorations.
The Bavarian Alps is a region known for its colorful folk customs, traditional alpine
festivals, and warm hospitality. This rich cultural environment offers an exceptional
backdrop for a hiking trip that is designed to embrace these treasures.
We intend to immerse ourselves in this rich culture with a mountain trek, mostly staying
in full service huts along the way. The Wettersteinngebirge mountain range will be our
focus for the trek. This area, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, is a limestone range that rises
abruptly from wide, meadow-covered valleys, offering spectacular views of the area.
Zugspitze, the highest summit in Germany, is part of this range and creates a dramatic
glaciated backdrop for the hikes. If possible we may have a native speaker join us for part
of the alpine portion of the trip to help immerse us in the language, culture and customs
of the German people.
The trip is 12 days long. We’ll leave Boston (or other East Coast points) Saturday
evening. After arrival in Munich Sunday morning, we will travel by bus to our hostel in
Munich. There we can relax and/or do some sightseeing in Munich. We will end the day
with our first group dinner. On Monday morning we’ll leave Munich by train and travel
to via the city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and on to the village of Hammersbach where
we will we’ll leave for our hut-hut trek. We plan to stay 6 nights in huts. The huts are
spaced a day’s hike apart, allowing us to enjoy an ever-changing landscape each day.
We’ll stay 2 nights in one of the huts in
order to allow for summiting Zugspitze,
conditions permitting. At the end of our
hut trek, we’ll climb through a mountain
pass into Austria and stay in a village
gasthaus there. The next day (Monday),
we’ll leave the mountains and return to
our Munich hostel. On Tuesday we will
enjoy a full day in Munich where we will
partake in the world- famous Oktoberfest.
On Wednesday the trip ends with
participants returning to the airport or
extending their personal travels.
Munich
Munich (German: München) is the
capital city of the state of Bavaria. It is
located on the River Isar north of the
Bavarian Alps. It is home to 1.35 million
people that live in the city proper. It has
a modern public transportation system,
one of the most advanced in the world. It
is know for its world-class restaurants,
museums and cultural venues such as the
Bavarian State Opera and Bavarian State
Orchestra, the Deutsches Museum, and
Munich City Museum.
The Huts
The Bavarian Alps contains an extensive hut system.
These huts have a long, proud tradition of offering
hikers clean, simple refuge, hearty meals and the
ambiance of alpine hospitality. The huts are
individually owned and operated, so service varies
hut to hut. Oberreintal hut is the most primitive
facility. It has an outhouse, an outside cold shower,
and doesn’t serve food. We’ll need to carry in food to
this hut. All the other huts have inside toilets and
washrooms, 2 of them have coin operated hot
showers. These huts also serve hearty suppers and
breakfasts. We’ll be sleeping in mixed gender
bunkrooms with wide multi-mattress bunks. All the
huts provide blankets and pillows - we bring sleep
sacks.
Oktoberfest
One of Munich's most famous attractions, the Oktoberfest, attracts millions of people
visiting its beer tents and fairground attractions. The Oktoberfest was first held in
October 1810 in honor of the marriage of crown prince Ludwig to Princess Therese von
Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities later developed into what is now known as the
Oktoberfest. Despite its name, and lucky for us, most of Oktoberfest occurs in
September. Since 1950, there has been a traditional festival opening: A twelve gun salute
and the tapping of the first keg of Oktoberfest beer at 12:00 by the incumbent Mayor of
Munich with the cry "O' zapft is!" ("It's tapped!" in the Austro-Bavarian language) opens
the Oktoberfest. The Mayor then gives the first beer to the Minister-President of the State
of Bavaria.
Trip
Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Date
10 September 2011
11 September 2011
12 September 2011
13 September 2011
14 September 2011
15 September 2011
16 September 2011
17 September 2011
18 September 2011
19 September 2011
20 September 2011
21 September 2011
Itinerary
Travel Day
Arrive - Meet Group Hotel & Dinner in Munich
Travel to Hammersbach - Höllentalanger Hütte
Kreutzighaus
Oberreintalhütte
Reintalangerhütte
Knorrhütte
Travel to Zugspitze Knorrhütte
Travel to Erwald Austria
Travel to Munich; afternoon free
Munich Oktoberfest
Travel Day
Time / Distance /
Elevation
3h / 2.5 mi / 2,581 ft
4h / 4 mi / 870 ft
6h / 7.5 mi / 2,700 ft
5h / 5 mi / -160 ft
6h / 7.5 mi / 3,280 ft
6h / 5 mi / 2,890 ft
6h / 7 mi / -3,470 ft
Trip Difficulty
We rate the trip as mildly strenuous. Good physical
conditioning and recent hiking and backpacking experience
are required for this trip. During our daily hikes, we’ll be
climbing 2,400 – 3,000 vertical feet, sometimes achieving
elevations of 7,000 – 9,000 feet. Participants need to be
comfortable with narrow trails with steep sides. Zugspitze is
9,717 feet (2,962 meters) high with the last leg over a steep,
possibly snow covered, scree field with narrow trails and
fixed cable hand rails. Participants will be carrying their own
personal gear, several days’ lunch and snacks, water and
some community gear/food. Pack weights are typically 20 30 lbs. We’ll set an easy pace with photo stops along the way.
The group will hike together. Most of all, participants need to
have a community-based attitude and a sense of adventure.
Trip Cost
The price of this trip is $1650 for AMC members. The non-member price is $1750, but
please note that a one-year AMC individual membership costs only $50. Airfare is not
included in the trip price and is estimated at $1000-1400. A deposit of $500 is required to
secure your place; this will be returned if your application is not accepted, or if you
withdraw before being accepted. Another $500 is due on the acceptance of your
application, and the balance is due on July 1, 2011. You may be considered to have
canceled if a payment is not received on time. Deposits and balance payments (payable
to the “Appalachian Mountain Club”) are subject to the cancellation and refund policy
below.
The trip will be run on a non-profit basis.
Any excess funds, after paying actual
expenses and a 20% AMC overhead fee,
will be refunded to the participants.
The following are included in the price:
all lodging (hostels, gasthauses, and huts),
ground transportation, all trail fees, all
suppers and breakfasts from supper on the
first Sunday through breakfast on the
final Wednesday. Not included are
airfare, lunches, snacks, and expenses
such as alcohol and personal purchases.
The leaders will assist participants in making their flight arrangements, determining
possible options, and assuring that the group will arrive in Munich as close to the same
time as possible.
Personal Trip Extension
The AMC trip formally terminates on Wednesday, September 21; however, some
individuals may choose to extend their visit in Europe. You can make your own personal
plans starting from Munich that morning or from the Munich airport. Participants should
notify the leaders of their plans so the leaders can make appropriate arrangements for
each participant.
Trip Size
Due to trail safety and hut limitations, the group will be limited to 12, including the
leaders. Minimum age for the trip is 18 yrs old. The leaders reserve the right to select a
smaller group. Once the trip is full, prospective participants may be accepted to a wait
list. The deposit for waitlisted participants is $500. If an accepted participant cancels, the
leaders will look first to the wait list for an additional participant. The $500 wait list
deposit will be refunded to prospective participants not offered a space on the trip.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Our cancellation policy is based on several considerations. First, a cancellation shall not
raise the cost to the other participants or to the leaders. Second, we will charge a
canceling participant for the expenses already incurred on his/her behalf and any
unavoidable future expenses that will be incurred as a result of his/her registration, unless
they can be applied toward another acceptable participant. Third, to discourage
uncommitted people from applying for the trip, we have a schedule of minimum
cancellation penalties: zero before March 30, 2011, $150 from April 1, 2011 to June 30,
2011, $300 after June 30, 2011. Cancellation refunds probably won’t be returned until
after the trip has been completed. Cancellations are considered effective when a leader
receives notification. For the situation where the person cannot be replaced, cancelling
participants may forfeit the entire trip fee. Flight tickets once purchased become the
property of the buyer and are generally non-refundable.
Trip Insurance:
Travel insurance is highly recommended, since job requirements, illness, accidents or a
death in the family can interfere with your travel plans. We will provide information on
how to obtain travel insurance through the AMC.
Transportation
We’ll use local transportation to get around Munich and Bavaria. We may elect to use
buses, trains and/or cable cars.
Equipment
A complete list of required clothing and equipment is included. Weather conditions are
unpredictable and can be quite varied, so participants need to be prepared for cool
weather, rain, snow and bright warm sun. Participants should have previously used their
equipment and be sure of its fit and functionality. Renting equipment is not an option on
this trip.
Risks
Weather – Trails are clearly marked and can be easily followed even in inclement
conditions. But there is some risk that weather conditions will be severe enough or some
other factor might force us to alter our original plans. Our intent in these situations will
be to involve participants in discussing alternative plans and, as best we can, continue
with our hiking adventure in a safe mode. Participants need to maintain some flexibility
in these situations. Final decisions will rest with the leaders.
Altitude - Most of the trip will be spent at altitudes around 6,000 – 7,000 feet. This
usually does not present any altitude sickness risk. There is a small risk, however, that
participants who have not experienced these altitudes may suffer some sort of altitude
sickness. Often, the only cure is to return to lower altitudes. Obviously, we will help
sufferers to safety and medical attention in every way possible; a departure of this nature
constitutes leaving the trip. Because most trip expenses will have already been expended
and are non-refundable, reimbursement may not be possible. Personal, transportation and
medical expenses, not covered by Evacuation Insurance, will need to be borne by the
participant.
The Leaders
Mike has been and active trip
leader with the AMC's Boston
Chapter Hiking / Backpacking
and Ski committee's since 2005.
Mike's leadership background
also includes volunteering as an
Instructor with the AMC'
Mountain Leadership School and
graduating from the National
Outdoor Leadership School’s
winter outdoor educator
program. Mike has hiked
extensively throughout New England and has enjoyed personal backpacking trips to
Colorado and Wyoming. Mike's first experience with Bavaria was during a high school
trip to the area. He still speaks a little German. He co-led this Bavarian Alps major
excursion in 2009.
Mike’s Contact Info:
82 Montebello Road #3 Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 524-4129
mikeseward299@gmail.com
Sam (Ruth) Jamke
Sam has been a member of the AMC since 1983 and has led
numerous day and weekend hiking trips. She is a Past Chair
of the New Hampshire Chapter, a hike leader for the New
Hampshire Chapter and AMC’s August Camp, an information
volunteer and a member of the Club’s Board of Directors.
She is current in WFA and CPR and has completed AMC’s
Mountain Leadership School. Sam has hiked the 115
Northeast 4,000 footers and has hiked all of the New England
Hundred Highest summits in winter. Other of Sam’s hiking venues include Mount
Rainier National Park, Washington’s North Cascades, California’s Sierra Nevada
Mountains, Newfoundland, Colorado’s Fourteeners and long distance paths in Scotland
and England. She has led major excursions to New Zealand, Scotland and Death Valley.
Sam also speaks a bit of German.
Sam’s Contact Info:
96 Jenkins Road, Bedford, NH 03110-5040
603-472-2536
samjamke@myfairpoint.net
Pre-Trip Meeting
Trip participants should plan to attend a pre-trip hike and meeting in order to go over trip
details, identify everyone’s expectations, and meet other participants. This meeting will
be organized during the summer, probably in New Hampshire.
Application
If you would like to go on this trip please contact one of the leaders for an application. To
apply, send a completed and signed application and your $500 deposit check (made out to
“Appalachian Mountain Club”) to Sam Jamke 96 Jenkins Road, Bedford, NH 031105040. A leader will contact you by phone upon receiving your application materials to
discuss the hike, review your experiences and answer your questions. Primary concerns
are that prospective participants have adequate hiking experiences, are prepared
physically for the rigors of this trip, and have suitable gear. Your deposit check will not
be cashed until your application is reviewed and accepted by the leaders.
Additional Information
Please contact one of the leaders.
Clothing and Equipment List
Bavaria 2011
Trip participants are expected to furnish their own personal equipment and clothing. Keep in
mind that we’ll probably encounter a varied climate with cool temperatures, rain or snow and
bright warm sun. The following is a list of the basics.
Packing System
__ Backpack or day pack: 3,000 cubic
inches / 50 L or larger
__ Liner for backpack – large trash bag or
waterproof stuff sacks
__ Pack cover (optional)
__ Extra stuff sack for group gear / food
Feet
__ Waterproof Hiking Boots:
comfortable, broken-in, with ankle
support
__ Socks: 2 (or more) pair; wool or
synthetic
__ Hut shoes (sneakers or sandals)
Head and Hands
__ Hat: wool or synthetic warm hat; sun
hat (baseball cap or wide brim)
__ Gloves/Mittens: wool or synthetic;
mittens are warmer than gloves
Body
__ Base Layers: wool or synthetic tshirt, shirt, bottoms
__ Shirt/Pants: wool or synthetic, NO
COTTON jeans or sweatpants;
__ Extra Insulating Layers: fleece, wool;
bring enough extra layers in your pack to
keep you warm if standing around in the
cold.
___ Rain/Wind Gear (outer shell layer):
waterproof jacket with hood and pants
Food and Water
__ Lunch/Munchies
__ Water: at least two quarts in wide
mouth, leak-proof, shatterproof
container(s)
Other Gear
__ Gaiters (recommended)
__ Hiking Poles (recommended)
__ Toilet Paper
__ Sleep Sack
Personal Gear
__ Passport at least 6 months from
expiration
__ Credit Card
__ Personal toiletries
__ Earplugs
__ Small towel/soap
__ Camera and SD card (or film)
__ Health insurance card
__ Sunscreen (SPF 30)
__ Lip balm with UV protection
__ Sunglasses, sunscreen
__ Spare glasses, contacts
__ Spare batteries
__ Headlamp