Two weeks ago, we set out towards the Karwendel mountains for a nice loop hike. Understanding the challenges of hiking during the day, we aimed to start early, hoping to arrive before the crowds gathered and before the heat became too overwhelming. Interestingly, we parked right next to an older lady who, unbeknownst to us at the time, turned out to be one of our neighbors back home. Upon beginning our hike, we were greeted by temperatures of around 11°C in the shade, which was cooler than we initially anticipated. After a few minutes of walking, we found ourselves dressing up because we were unable to warm ourselves adequately.
The Ascent
The ascent started along a forest road, and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. As we climbed, the sun began to peek over the mountain range, promising some warmth. Just after passing a hut situated on an alpine meadow, the forest road transformed into a narrow trail, enhancing our hiking experience. During this segment, we hadn’t encountered a single person, which contributed to the tranquility of the moment.
We took our time, reveling in the numerous views and taking a couple of photos along the way. I attempted to experiment with foregrounds in my shots, albeit with less success than I had hoped for – yet, each attempt is a lesson learned. At this point, we began to see our first fellow hikers on their way to the summit, and we had some pleasant conversations with a few solo hikers as well.
Choosing the Loop over the Summit
When we reached a junction, we faced the decision to fork off toward the summit or continue along the loop trail. Given that my wife preferred to avoid any strenuous elevation, we decided to skip the summit in favor of a beautiful panoramic walk. As we continued, the temperature rose significantly during our trek. At one point, I decided to take out my new hiking umbrella for some much-desired shade. This marked the first occasion I had used it while hiking in the mountains, and it worked wonderfully! Honestly, I often wondered what other hikers thought as they encountered me with my silvery hiking umbrella.
Resting and Descending
We found a shaded spot at a hut where we rested for a while. To our amusement, we encountered the same lady from the start once again. After enjoying a nice lunch, we began our descent. There were, admittedly, a few opportunities to capture good photographs of the hut, but I didn’t feel inclined to roam around looking for the best shooting locations.
As we descended, the views opened up beautifully in front of us. Portions of the trail followed a forest road, where we were surprised by the number of mountain bikers coming up – about half of them opted for non-motorized MTBs. I admit I feel tempted to try biking up there myself one day, though I couldn’t quite understand why some people chose to ride up during the hottest part of the day.
The remainder of our descent was uneventful. Thankfully, we had parked our car in the shade, a blessing considering it had heated up to around 28°C by the time we returned.
A Rapid Change in Weather just a Week Later
Remarkably, just a week later, temperatures dropped drastically. Reports indicated up to a meter of snow fell in the very areas where we had just hiked. Hikers staying at the alpine huts found themselves unable to descend due to a high risk of avalanches. Authorities advised people to stay away from the region, emphasizing the dangers by avalanches.
Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for media reports to surface regarding fatalities and rescue missions resulting from poor judgment or just plain bad luck. While it’s easy to critique, I just wanted to emphasize how essential it is to remember that such warnings should always be taken very seriously.