Neue Heilbronner Hütte
Austria walking July 2024 Day 3 Konstanzer Hütte to Neue Heilbronner Hütte
Morning arrived with bright clear skies and in spite of the lack of sleep we were enthused for another day of hiking. Especially as I had secured a 2 Euro coin for the shower! (I didn’t time the period of hot water but I am pretty sure that it was less than the stated two minutes).
Breakfast was the same as yesterday and the day before that and probably everyday to come but good for all of that: cheese, ham, jam, bread, yogurt, tinned mixed fruit and coffee (well something vaguely representing the drink that I might call coffee. At least it provided a caffeine hit).
When we got back to the room there was no sign of the snoring band so we were not able to give them a double whammy Tunna stare. A lucky escape!
Today was a relatively short hike up the valley and for the first three miles or so on a gravel road. Slight incline on a good surface is my kind of thing so today it was me that took the lead only to be reminded of the rule. I mused that perhaps it should be ‘it’s not a race, just go your own pace’
Bathed in glorious sunshine the valley that we ascended was full of summer wildlife. Any gardener that has struggled to encourage Alpine plants to grow in the Uk would be envious of the multitude of varieties on show here all with an abundance of health and vigor with some clinging on to the smallest patch of nutrient rich soil between the rocks.
So spoilt for luxury were we on this walk that there was even a coffee stop at the side of the path where we stopped to enjoy a cup as well as a glass of berry juice the main ingredient of which had no doubt been sourced earlier that day.
A slightly steeper section of track ended the walk but nothing too strenuous but, nevertheless, the first view of the next Hütte and the thought of a quenching beer is always a welcome fillip.
The outdoor terrace was heaving with happy hikers and bikers when we arrived and once we had dumped bags and claimed the best beds with sleeping bags in the 3 bunk / 6 birth room, we joined the throng for lunch. The birthday group boys were there and happily singing table thumping oompah songs and fraternizing with the female staff who were dressed in local fashion. I half expected that Trapp family descendants might arrive over the hills at any moment!
A welcome siesta and a leisurely afternoon in the sunshine preceded dinner where we shared a table with Thomas (father) and Felix (son) from Hannover as well as Marcia. It was great fun and we all got on well with talks about the hikes completed and those to come. The food was exceptionally good here with Weiner Schnitzel for main on a plate decorated with foraged wild flowers.
Still tired from the reduced hours of sleep from the night before, we retired to bed at 9 and left the birthday gang to their rowdy song making that had just started up in the dining hall. When we got upstairs though we realised that our room was directly above this space and the noise was very very loud. Thomas, who was sharing our room, said not to worry because lights out was set for 11 at this Hütte and even though the celebrators were drunk, they would surely obey this. They didn’t of course and when I last looked at my watch at 12.30, there were still some left partying on into the smaller hours with a guitar and a piano accordion. The rest is insomnia…