New day, full of promise

An alluring aspect of alpine climbing is that it entails so much more than just climbing. Often memorable is the early morning hike to the rock. Seeing the sun rise, and the wildlife awakening - before most have even gotten out of bed. Take the approach to Liechelkopf from Mittelberg. It is fairly long, but magnificently beautiful. The path to upper Wildental is framed by Alpenrosen, bellflowers and other sprinkles of color. It passes a great waterfall where we always take a brief pause to breathe the fresh air. And then, upper Wildental, tucked away and with a prospering wildlife: Alpine ibex, marmots, chamois and birds all thrive in the quiet corners of these mountains. This photo is in a moment of joy over the prosperity of a blooming summer's day.

This ought to be the first pitch. Without guide we'd guess at a 4, solid rock and well bolted.

2nd pitch. Around 4, if we don't remember completely wrong. Well bolted.

Markus finishing the 2nd pitch.

Alpine Ibex. As they play, the unnerving sound of falling rocks is intensified. But they don't mind.

We have no picture from the crux pitch no 3 - apart from this, taken when abseiling. The crux, starting about where the photographer stands, should be a 5+. We found it hard for the grade, comparing to grade 6 routes in the vicinity.

Sandra leading the 4th pitch, crux moves perhaps 5, well bolted. Above the overhang it gets too easy - no bolts. Keep to the right and they will appear from nowhere!

5th pitch. It looks easy, but the overhang where Markus is hanging is easily underestimated from below.

6th pitch starting vertical but soon getting easy.

Upper Wildental

6th pitch ending by overclimbing a little depression with loose scree.

7th pitch. Steep start, but soon easier and a bit loose through a person-wide gully.

8th pitch exit. Easy, but also not overly bolted. Right at the end are the few interesting moves. The pitch is short - there is another belay ring slightly further up, if one wants to risk more rope drag.

Upper Wildental

Markus abseiling over Amp Tour - a very bad idea, as will soon be clear...

So - about abseiling on Amp Tour. DON'T! It's probably much better over Lugabeitl. We knew where to go, but still ended up too far right due to the angle of the rock. This was at the part corresponding to pitch 4 + 3, where 4 traverses to the right. With 40 m abseiled of our 50 m double ropes, Sandra came to the last narrow terrace before a great overhanging wall; the route far off to the left. She managed to climb leftwards with the prusik as belay. There is a little roof and rocks obscuring the way, but she was lucky to find a bolt at the end. It was actually the crux bolt of the route. Not a comfortable stand, but safe.

Grass below our feet! We couldn't be happier to be down in the green upper valley of Wildental.