Finally Sun again

August 31, 23 Valentinalm > Wolayersee Hut

It doesn't want to be quite sunny yet, because the fog and high clouds cover the sun again and again. The advantage is that it is no longer so oppressively hot. It's a very short stage, but it's enough for the re-entry. A narrow valley with high rock walls to the left and right, the path climbs up to the saddle and you can already see the lake with the hut on the other side. Drinks are provided, because the beer truck is being unloaded as I walk to the hut. The hut is occupied to the last place, was lucky that there was still a bed free. The warden Helmut has everything under control and is friendly. He talked to everyone. The prices in the huts here on the Carnic High Trail are just as expensive as the SAC huts here! Good conversation at the table during dinner. Great rooms and sanitary facilities. I also slept very well.

1 September 23 Wolayersee Hut > Hochweisssteinhaus

Wake up tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. in glorious weather. Good breakfast and suddenly fog came up and covered the mountains. Autumn has come, I thought to myself, because it was still fresh in addition to the fog. The first time I put on the windbreaker. But that was a short interlude from autumn, because the sun soon came out, but the wind picked up anyway and so the wind protection was necessary the higher I climbed up the hill. So the stage dragged on, up and down past old military buildings and memorials, until you saw the hut from above. As always: the hut was fully booked and so I was allowed to sleep in an emergency bed on the top floor in the corridor! There wasn't much sleeping, because the whole night there was a "walking" back and forth on the yawning wooden floor. Nevertheless I recovered and in the morning I was ready to move on

2 September 23 Hochweisssteinhaus > New Porze Hütte

Since the ViaAlpina is identical to the Carnic (Karmic) Höhenweg on this section, this stage should be the king's stage of this path. So was she! This stage also demanded a lot of fitness and sure-footedness! You walk a lot on the ridge and see the Dolomites on the left and the Grossglockner and the Venice on the right, both of which are still covered with glaciers. I had to stop to watch the panorama as the path needed attention! Suddenly on the way I met a shepherd with 3 dogs and further down a huge flock of sheep with livestock guard dogs. Since I caught up with 2 Gschpändli from the last few days, the whole flock of sheep followed us and so we hiked in the middle of the sheep. But suddenly the cattle dogs and the shepherd appeared and turned the herd back again. The protection dogs came close to us, but they soon realized that we had no bad intentions! So the way dragged on and didn't want to end. The others pulled away again and so I reached the hut alone. Good food and a great place to sleep rounded off this long day. Here I said goodbye to Marlene and Benedikt who had to go back to work.

3 September 23. New Porze Hut > Obstansersee Hut

This stage was rather short but peppered with 3 juicy climbs. From the hut, first a short descent, then the first ascent, where the sweat poured out of every pore. Almost at the top, horses greeted me and one came all the way to me and sniffed me. The path led down to a lake where people were already bathing at 10:00 in the morning. Much too early for me! I stopped at this lake and enjoyed the silence in nature. I still felt tired from yesterday's long stage. Now I woke up on the second climb, which was a little longer and led to the Standschützenhütte where there was a cyclist to drink. Only a short break, because there was still about 100 meters of altitude to conquer. At the top there was a long descent through a valley with a view of a via ferrata where voices could be heard again and again. When you finally reach the bottom, you face a steep climb through scree and a very steep mountain path. About 1 1/2 hours ascent and the last few meters in altitude are done, where you can already see the hut. Short descent and the Obstanser Lake invites you to swim. The water was clean but cold! I have no idea how many degrees, but I definitely didn't stay in there for long! Friendly people who ran the hut, good food and a good atmosphere! After dinner I played some card game with a mountain guide and his daughter. The game is called “Henndreck” and if you lose you are just that. It was always funny. Room also good and slept very well.

September 4, 23 Obstanserseehütte > Sillianerhütte

This is the last stage of the Karnischer Höhewenweg. Rather a shorter stage. Here too, the path led a lot over the mountain ridge with a great view on both sides. I was able to admire the Three Peaks and the Dreizinnen Hut could also be seen just far away! Unfortunately, there was a lot of wind that day, which freshened up a lot. Windbreaker handy but great view. A few exposed spots had to be overcome before the Sillianerhütte became visible. Goal achieved! Newer cabin with good sleeping quarters and good shower and toilet facilities. A display! Great sunset and slept great.