Trekking in Austria's Hohe Tauern. Allan Hartley

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      TREKKING IN AUSTRIA’S HOHE TAUERN

      THE REICHEN, VENEDIGER AND GROSS GLOCKNER GROUPS

      by

      Allan Hartley

      2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA, LA7 7PY

      www.cicerone.co.uk

      About the Author

      Allan has been passionate about mountains and photography since his early teens. He has climbed extensively throughout the Alps, discovering Austria by chance during the early 1970s while trying to avoid atrocious weather conditions in the higher mountains of the Western Alps. Allan maintains that Austria and the Dolomites of neighbouring Italy remain one of mountaineering’s best kept secrets with their heady mix of superb scenery, good huts and excellent food and are better suited to the average mountaineer than the higher mountains to the west.

      In addition to Austria and the Alps, Allan has climbed from East Africa to the Falkland Islands, the Greater Ranges of Nepal and Pakistan, the lesser known Zagros Mountains of Iran and the Al Hajr Mountains of the Arabian Peninsula.

      Not surprisingly Allan is a long-term member of the Austrian Alpine Club, Sektion Britannia. Allan is also a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild, an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society and a holder of the International Mountain Leader Award. His home is on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. For more about Allan see www.allanhartley.co.uk.

      Other Cicerone titles by the author

      Trekking in the Stubai Alps

      Trekking in the Zillertal Alps

      © Allan Hartley 2010

      First edition 2010

      ISBN 978 1 85284 568 1

      Printed by MCC Graphics, Spain

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

      All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

      To Joseph and Lara

      Acknowledgements

      A special thank you goes to those members of the Austrian Alpine Club who accompanied me while I was compiling this guidebook: Robert Hampson, Ellie Haworth, Barry Walton, Ged O’Neill, Mike Garrett, Peter Jobson, Ros Adams, Marilyn Hartley, Brian Cooper, Stuart Pike, Chris Playford, David Hoad, Donald Weighton, Peter Rogerson, Chris Holmes (Germany), Len Reilly, American nationals David Wrinn and Gerry Becker and last but not least evergreen New Zealander Doug Ball. I also need to acknowledge the specialist skills of Zoe Macdonald for her help translating various German texts and Stuart Pike for his help with all things digital and computing.

      Advice to Readers

      Readers are advised that, while every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Please check the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk) for any updates before planning your trip. It is also advisable to check information on such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY, UK.

      Mountain Warning

      Mountain walking can be a dangerous activity carrying a risk of personal injury or death. It should be undertaken only by those with a full understanding of the risks and with the training and experience to evaluate them. While every care and effort has been taken in the preparation of this guide, the user should be aware that conditions can be highly variable and can change quickly, materially affecting the seriousness of a mountain walk. Therefore, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law, neither Cicerone nor the author accept liability for damage of any nature (including damage to property, personal injury or death) arising directly or indirectly from the information in this book.

      To call out the Mountain Rescue, ring 140 or the international emergency number 112: this will connect you via any available network. Once connected to the emergency operator, ask for the police.

      Front cover: Donald Weighton and Peter Rogerson enjoy fabulous views from the Kempsen Kopf 3090m (Glockner Rucksack Route, Stage 6)

      CONTENTS

       INTRODUCTION

       When to Go

       Getting There (and Back)

       Places to Stay

       Visiting Innsbruck

       Tourist Offices

       Post Offices

       Places to Leave Luggage

       Health and Fitness

       Emergencies, Mountain Rescue and Insurance

       The Austrian Alpine Club

       About Huts

       Using this Guide

       Maps and Guidebooks

       Alpine Walking Skills

       Kit List

       Mountain Guides

       THE REICHEN GROUP

       Introduction and Topography

       The Reichen Group Hut-to-Hut Rucksack Route