The track is not that difficult and provides lovely views. With a binocular we could even see our hotel in Sautens.



Don't forget to look back now and then. Then you can see the path you just walked on. If you look good at this picture you can more or less see the Bielefelderhutte in the distance and then finally there it is ......... The TOP.
Wow, we made if after all and Elgar was really proud on this achievement. Elgar? Yes....he insisted on going with us and to show the world that a moose is persistent.



As we started off very early this morning, we decided not to return the same way as we came, but to walk to the Puchersee (2002m), down below in the valley. That track is part of the so-called Knappenweg.

The Knappenweg is some 350 years old. "Knappen" is the German word for a miner who has completed his apprenticeship. So, Miners (more than 450 of them) used their hammers and tools to dig here for copper pyrite, galena and pyrite. So that explains the name of this track. More information can be found Knappenweg.

But first you have to descend through the Worgetal Valley. We felt all alone in that valley. There was just the sun, small lakes, mountains, snow and us.
In summer the track is very popular and sometimes a bit too crowded but that was certainly not the case in this period.







At the end of the valley we finally reach the Puchersee and its Knappenhaus. Today a small museum and a watermill are at the site of the former mine.
We continue our way and after a little while arrive at some signposts and just can't believe our eyes. It is still 2 hours from here to the cable car !!!
It is already 14.00 hrs and we will never make it back on time for the last cable car to go down.

Oh my .......and literally started speed walking uphill. No time for more pictures, just this single shot of Alpenroses.



We encountered some people we had also met at the top of the Wetterkreuzkogel and ask them how long it will take to get to the nearest hut (Balbachhuette) and guess what they said: oh just 10 minutes from here and from that hut it is only 15-20 minutes to the cable car. What a relieve. So don't let that particular signpost fool you as it did to us. At 14.45 hrs we arrive at the Balbachhut and enjoy a huge lemonade and have something to eat.

With one last look at the scenery we make our way to the cable car that brings us back to Oetz.




TIP:
If you do this walk and make lots of stops (like we do for enjoying the surroundings and some photo-shoots) be sure to take the first cable car up so that you will be back on time for the latest cable car going down.

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And in our case, of course we still had some snow fields to cross here and there.



And guess who was with us today?
Yes ........ our own Elgar. He, as a moose, was very thrilled to see all that snow. He did not want to miss a thing as you can see. And we can understand that cause these were the views he could see from the backpack.






Finally we arrive at the Speicher Finstertal reservoir, situated at 2350m. Just as we arrive a sunny spell shows us the splendor of this area.
As you can see this reservoir is surrounded by huge mountains, f.i. the Neunerkogel (2640m), Finstertaler Schartenkopf (2855m), Zwoelferkogel (2988m). A very impressive view we have to admit. Take your time here to enjoy this scenery.




After a well-deserved break, we move on towards the first of the three lakes, the so-called Untere Plenderlessee (2311m) and then a few meters up there is the Obere Plenderlessee (2344). That is .... we almost missed it because it was still covered up with ice.



At the 3-seen Hut (Drei Seen Huette) you can drink something, that is if it is open (during our stay it had not opened yet for the summer season). From here take track nr. 5 and soon you will encounter lake nr. 2, the Mittlerer Plenderlessee (2317).



Also here the lake was still covered with ice, as you can see in underneath picture. Amazing colors, that is for sure.
But we have to keep on moving, so slowly we descend towards the last lake.



Finally, lake nr. 3, the Hirschebensee at 2166m, was free of ice. After crossing hundreds of snowfields we are a bit tired but luckily from here the track improves and a rather easy path brings you back to Kuthai.




Hopefully you enjoyed our pictures. It was a very nice walk with lots to see and to discover.

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