After a week with family on the Italy's beautiful Amafi coast the Scanus headed north for a visit to the Alps. They had a plan to see Munich, Salzburg and do an overnight in one the many huts in the Alps. We made reservations for the Meiler Hutte but the weather and Marco's cold made it clear we needed to find a easier day route. Stef found a great tour near her Mom's Garmisch house that led us up to the 1/2 way point of the climb the of the highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitz. Under partly sunny skies and occassional rain we climbed up for about 2.5 hours through the Höllental gorge to the Höllentalanger-Hütte ( 1379 m) and had a light lunch. This is the 1/2 way point for the climb to the top of the ZugSpitz. The remaining climb requires the use of iron cables. From the Hutte we took the more different route down that went around the gorge and traversed dramatic high cliffs. Unfortunately the last 15 minutes of the hike it rained like hell and we were soaked. Fortunately Mom's place, with hot showers and dry clothes was only a short 15 minute drive away from the trailhead. At night we went a traditional Bavarian dinner place in Garmisch and even had enough energy for a stop at Fraundorfer .

Our last hike was to the Herzogstand. Another great day trip and hike and only about 45 minute drive from our home in Stockdorf. We didn't have time to fit the extra Heimgarten section in this time but instead had time for a Kaiserschmarrn and beers. It was another great hike with awesome views of both the Kochel and Wachensee lakes.

Great to have the Scanus for a week at our place and to be able to show them the true mountain culture of the nearby Alps.