GERMAN HILL AND MOUNTAIN HIKING

6th March: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Farchant

Start/Finish at Garmisch-Partenkirchen 700m

Highest point: Wank mountain summit, 1780m

Distance: circa 14 kms

Weather: Frost then sunny, snow lying above 1300m

Vertical altitude gain: circa 1100m

Time: 8hrs 20mins

Landslip on track to Wank mountain

After my walk back from Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the 5th, I had lunch at the hotel then wandered up to the Kuhlfluchte waterfalls, and couldn't resist climing a way up the steep path to the Hoher Frocken that starts there. Waking on the 6th feeling tired and with both feet swollen with arthritis I felt maybe I should have rested the previous day! But as today was the last of my trip I was determined to go ahead with my plan to walk from Garmisch-Partenkirchen up to the summit of the Wank. It was a struggle to get my boots on, and even more of a struggle as I hobbled off the bus and started on the route I had chosen: via a large landslip, (right), then the Gamshütte and Eckenhütte and the SW track which I hoped would be fairly free of snow until higher up.

6th March hike continued
6th March: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Farchant Eckenhütte

It was superb morning: a sharp frost and very clear. The track was very easy to start with, which helped as I was rather dragging my right foot which was hurting the most! But that was easily forgotten with the superb view across to the Jubiläumsgrat that was to be ever present during the the walk: here seen just as I passed Eckenhütte.

6th March hike continued
6th March: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Farchant Kramerspitz and Wankbahn Mittelstation

Above Eckenhütte the track was still good, but getting steeper as I climbed above the Mittel Station of the Wankbahn cable car. With a nice view behind: the Kramerspitz to the right, and the Austrian Alps in the distance along the valley.

6th March hike continued
6th March: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Farchant Track up Wank mountain Track up Wank mountain

The track was well defined for this very popular route, and above 1250m there was still lying snow.

6th March hike continued
6th March: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Farchant Jubiläumsgrat

The route went up the SW side of the Wank, giving superb views all the way up, especially to the Jubiläumsgrat.

6th March hike continued
6th March: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Farchant Jubiläumsgrat

A closer view of the entire Jubiläumsgrat, still with plenty of snow on it.

6th March hike continued
6th March: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Farchant Wankbahn Bergstation Wank Mountain Summit Cross Wankhaus

It had taken me a fair bit longer than expected to get to the summit area, as I had to struggle all the way with significant arthritis pain and swelling in both feet and ankles. And rather annnoyingly my short time on the summit area coincided with the only real cloud I was to see during the whole day!

6th March hike continued
6th March: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Farchant Hoher Fricken, Bischof and Krottenkopf seen from Wank summit

Despite the cloud the view North to the Hoher Fricken, Bischof and Krottenkopf was still very clear.

6th March hike continued
6th March: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Farchant Track down Wank

I had planned to head off back down the North side of the mountain, but the snow on top was still deep, and I didn't feel fit enough to walk though it. So I returned the way I had come. This time dragging my by now very painful left ankle: so much so that I took longer to descend than when ascending in the morning. But I ignored that as I was more interested in enjoying the view and my last day of this trip to such a superb walking area.

Feb-March 2007 Trip Index     Back to Main Index