Rätikon – Tour Introduction
8. August 2025
In 2022, I went hiking with Karla in the Verwall mountains. It was great. This year, we’re heading out together again – this time to the Rätikon, which borders the Verwall to the west. Back then, we had fantastic weather. It would be lovely if it turned out the same this time. Because – back home, the weather wasn’t great at all, and I could only rarely hike up and down the hills. So, there are only a few photos from the time between the last tour and the next one. Here is one:
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You learn to head out right away whenever there’s only a slight chance of rain. This summer has been not just wet but very wet – the rain came pouring down, and even with proper clothing, it wouldn’t have been enjoyable. Just wet feet. On one day, I took a trail that’s considered difficult, which I had already done twice before without any trouble. This time, it was different. Not enough to turn back, but I did feel quite uneasy. And then I started to worry that my fear of heights had gotten worse and that things which used to feel easy might now only be possible with a pounding heart – or maybe not at all. Annoying. But in the end, I did make it to the summit:
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But now about the planned tour.
We’ve pre-booked mountain huts, but there are different trail options in between. The start and end point is a cable car station – easier on the knees. But we could also start differently. We’ll probably decide on the spot each day. There’s still plenty of ascent and descent, as you can see from the elevation profile.
Just like on the previous tour, one hut didn’t work out – the one that would have allowed for a better route.
Karla
I first met Karla in 2014. She had booked a trip to Ladakh, and I met her and her husband after their trekking tour – with beaming eyes and a warm, heartfelt laugh. And yes, from there, a slow and deeper connection developed. And when one of you lives in Ruhpolding and is often away, and the other in Kassel and also constantly on the move – then you have to make sure to carve out little windows of time together. And a hut tour is a perfect opportunity for that! Along with other visits, like this one up here at my place.
Tomorrow we’re setting off! We’re excited!