Hiked To Pinnistal Hutte
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I´m not sure if the name of the hut that we hiked to today was called the Pinnistal, but I know it sounded vaguely phallic. Regardless, it was a beautiful hike on a sunny day. The hike takes you through old growth forest up a mountain past 12 wooden carvings at various intervals along the way. The carvings are always positioned where there is a breathtaking view of the Stubai Valley, and the carvings, and the signs beside them are meant to make you contemplate the greatness of nature and God, and of your place in the scheme of being as a human. Essentially they marry the ideas of religion, environmentalism and responsible use of the earth. It´s a route that, regardless of whether or not you are consciously religious, inspires respect for the harmony of nature.
Martin was our guide today – he likes to move quickly up and down the mountain, but he was held up by the size and fitness level of the group (there were 20 of us all together, from 10 different countries – some more fit than others to put it politely). We, along with our friends who have some experience with the hiking program were asked to be the “sweepers” – ie: we were responsible for keeping the back of the group as close to the front of the group as possible. At times it felt like herding cattle, but we were in good company with our friends, so the hike was enjoyable.
We took a few pictures, had a great meal at the mountain hut (you have to order your food at a take-out window, then wait for the waiter to leave the kitchen carrying a plate as he calls out what the dish is that´s ready, and grab him as he goes by – it´s a very different kind of dining experience…). Oh yeah, watch the change you get from the 100 year old man who takes your order and runs the cash – he notoriously short changes everyone! In case you ever make it there, the apple strudel is well worth the hike. Before we left, one of the gasthaus/inn proprietors recognized us and our friends as returning hike program regulars and tried to force schnapps down our throats (twice). We had to refuse – between the heat of the day and the hike we would have had to have been rolled down the mountain. All in all, it was a great day.
Ok – does anyone know if today or tomorrow is our anniversary? We always get confused. Oh well, we`ll just treat ourselves on both days.
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