Schafsiedel, Kitzbuheler Alpen

The second day of our stay in the Bramberger Hutte started with clear skies - it had only cleared up in the early morning. We had chosen to make for Schafsiedel, after changing our minds over Aleitenspitze since we had been told by someone the previous day that it had some steep and slippy slopes in the back of the coombe to climb up. I actually suspect that he did not have harscheisen and this was the issue. It also turned out that there were similar number as yesterday also going to this peak.

We gathered outside after breakfast at a similar time to yesterday. As we got ready the clear skies clouded over and by the time we left there was high cloud all around.

We left the hut and curved around above it climbing to the right hand side of the valley. The track here arced around away from the normal track to keep to the snow patches.

Curving back around to aim for the Unterer Wildalmsee and its col, we had the Tristkopf standing up behind us.

Arriving at the col we caught up with the party ahead of us, who were debating the route to take. I was equally unsure and we debated before starting along the lake side - a larger map than the GPS device would have helped here!

After realising we were on the way to Stanglhohe rather than Schafsiedel we returned to the col adn met our room mates who had come up behind us. We then followed them up the correct slope - rising from the lake over the end of the ridge.

As we reached the top of this ridge the weather really closed in and it started snowing with a bit of a breeze around as well. Time for the Gore-Tex!

Along the ridge and its undulations reaching a bigger curve before a steeper slope ahead.

The track zigzagged up the slope (only after we had put on our Harscheisen) leading up to the skyline above.

The track was in a similar state as the others we had followed this week, and the harscheisen really helped.

Over the top of the slope and we had our first view of the summit. A flatter section around the Oberer Wildalmsee (the third of the lakes up this ridge).

This flatter section was around bare patches and rocks, before becoming more snow covered. Steph & I still had our Harscheisen on, however Bryon could flip his around and found this easier. Steph & I had to resort to stepping along rather than sliding - it would have been better to stop and remove them before replacing them once again to reach the top on the steeper slope ahead.

Up to the bottom of the summit slope, where the track zigzagged up to the skyline.

This slope was shallower than the previous one angling up to the summit cross. However one of our room mates - who were once again ahead - slipped after a snow build up under one ski. She grazed her hand, so I paused to help clean and plaster it.

At the top we paused for photos after further bandaging of the room mates hand, and some snacking.

Looking down the Manzenkar valley - tomorrows route.

Down to the neighbouring valley

Along the ridge towards Aleitenspitze

One thought was we could cross to the Aleitenspitze however this would have been better with Crampons and Ice axes (which we had left behind after yesterday), however going on skis would be challenging.

We transformed the skis and started down the slope we had climbed up. The snow here was very good to ski.

Down across the flatter area - luckily it had enough slope to keep moving.

The second steep slope provided more entertainment, as we dropped down to the undulating ridge.

We worked around the undulations, with only a few polling sections.

Dropping down to the slope above lowest lake in one of the occasional sun breaks.

Around the corner and down to the lake.

The final section down to the hut from the lake through the patchwork of snow banks.

Back at the hutte we paused for a final chat with our room mates who were continuing down the summer route to the valley. Then we retired to the day room for tea after all the usual clearing away of equipment for drying.
Supper that night was vegetable broth, goulash with knudel, and blancmange with fruit.