Date: Sunday 11 May 2008

Suggested by: Peter Levenitschnig

Description of the hike:
One of the most beautiful gorges in Austria. Thanks to a great steep track one can cross it. Some keywords to get an idea: Height difference 350 meters, several wooden bridges, 24 waterfalls, 164 ladders, 2500 rungs ...

Meeting and ending point: Parking lot "Bärenschützklamm" (near Mixnitz)
Meeting time: 9:00 a.m.
Ending time: 5:30 p.m. (with Hochlantsch 8:00 p.m.) at the ealiest

Route, length of activity, elevation, grade of difficulty:
Parking lot "Bärenschützklamm" (490m) - Bärenschützklamm - Hut "Guter Hirte" (1209m) - Hut "Zum steirischen Jokl" (1398m): Lunch break. - Back the same route except the gorge where we take the "Prügelweg", an easier trail parallel to it.
6 hours to Hut "Steirischer Jokl" (1398m) and back (900 meters height difference; 3,5 hrs up, 2,5 hrs down)
8.5 hours to summit Hochlantsch and back (1720m, see "Variants"). (1230m height difference; additionally up 1,5 hrs, down 1h)
Grade of difficulty: Intermediate to High Alpine
Technically not difficult (a "Klettersteig" consisting mainly of wooden bridges and ladders, secured by handrails), but steep, tedious and exposed. So surefootedness, free of dizziness and good physical shape are a must.
Variant: We could go on up to the summit Hochlantsch (1720m). Depends on: If we all are in good shape and mood, not too late (also depending on other people in the gorge in front of us), the weather is okay, not too much snow left in higher regions, and the sight is great.

Driving instructions: 162 km from Vienna/City, appr. 2 hours
Wien - Südautobahn A2 - Semmeringschnellstraße S9 - Bruck an der Mur - Mixnitz (15km south of Bruck, direction to Graz) - Parking lot "Bärenschützklamm" (near Mixnitz, follow the signposts).

Car sharing: Please contact me, if you need or can offer car sharing. I did not take train connection into consideration this time as the earliest reasonable connection would delay our starting time too much.
Contact info: 0680 2104624

Equipment needed:
Usual alpine gear. Sturdy water-repellant hiking boots strongly recommended!
Some snacks and enough drinks.

URL:
www.baerenschuetzklamm.at

If the weather report is bad, please contact me on Friday 9th May in the evening, if the trip will take place! Handy: 0680 2104624