A colleague and friend dating back to the mid-1970's has passed away. He will be missed.
Excerpts from my hiking diary:
June 17, 1975
Drove with Evans Hays to Mittenwald via Garmisch. Parked by the train station and hiked east to the beginning of the trail up the West Karwendelspitze. Reached the Mittenwalderhutte in about two hours (1518 meters) and had lunch there. Weather had been overcast with occasional rain. Left the hut by the trail to the WestlicheKarwendelspitze which was steep and rocky. Crossed 5-6 snow banks, encountered sections of wire-fixed-guidelines at narrow trail portions. Overcast prevented seeing the height and steepness. Heavy rain began falling. We debated turning back but pressed on, figuring the summit was nearer than the hut. Trail gave out and we had to hand and foot it up toward the top. Another pair of climbers came along and found the red trail markers. We reached the top of the face and decided to head for the cable car station (2244 meters). Dried off, drank and returned to Mittenwald by cable car. Time from hut to top about two hours.
June 25
Evans and I had planned to go into the Karwendel again to take the Birkarspitze (2749 meters) and stay at the Karwendelhaus. But the folks at the DAV (Deutsche Alpen Verein/German Alpine Society) told us it was snowed in (the peak) and likely hard to surmount. We elected to go to the Falkenhutte where it was also more likey that our DAV temporary receipts (memberships?) would be accepted. Drove via Kochel-Walchensee, turned off on tol l road to Vorderiss, crossed border into Austria to Hinteriss and finally Eng, which was actually just a Gasthaus, kiosk, hotel and a cow farm. Again it was overcast. Laden with full packs we headed up toward the hut. We were both quickly winded (Eng 1218 meters, Falkenhutte 1850 meters). Dirt and gravel path, wet. Approaching the Hochjoch (1795 meters) encountered large snowfield. Down from the joch it began to fog and then rain. Donned sweater, then anorak, finally poncho. Reached hut after three hours, exhausted and wet. Drank, ate, went to sleep early.
June 26
Up at 6:30am, breakfasted, then set off with small packs – apple cider/mineral water ½ & ½, bread, cheese, ham, chocolate. From the hut we went around the base of the Ladizkopfl (1921 meters) and set off up to the peak of the Mahnkopf (2093 meters). It was hot, sunny, extremely bright. A fantastic day. Trail deceptively steep, with occasional snow and snow melt streams. Reached summit in about 1 ½ hours, rested, took lots of photos. Set off downhill over a long snow field. I took out my poncho and used it as a sled. It was slow and of course wet but fun. Headed uphill again toward the Steinspitze (2348 meters). Saw families of Chamois en route, took some long distance photos but without a telephoto. Trail quickly became narrow with vast drop-offs on both sides. Evans flaked out at about 2150 meters and decided to sit it out. Another solo climber had passed us going up so I set out alone behind him. Trail descended into rough and loose rock. Then up, using hands and feet over rock and snow. Came up one face to a level area then quickly up again skirting to the east of the jagged summit via a long upward snowfield. At end of snowfield turned west, up over rock, hand and foot, to small summit. Other climber descended as I climbed the last 15 meters. At top, took photos, including one of DeKalb hat on the rock cairn marking the summit. Descended carefully. Rested and drank with EH. Slowly back to hut and a long rest.
June 27
Left hut early to descend to car via Laliderer Tal (valley). Took about 3 – 3 1/2 hours. We were held up by big bulls whose interest turned from grazing to us. Encountered at least four herds. Apparently missed the bus into Eng, but quickly got a ride in a Saab driven by a German and his wife. Weather again hot and bright but with scattered clouds. Took the long way back (to Munich) via Tegernsee and back roads.
July 2
Planned to go out again with EH but it was raining all day.
(My diary entries don’t reflect any further outings with Evans but then I notice I only put sporadic notes so I can’t rule out other trips with him. In fact I am pretty positive there were more. )
Drove with Evans Hays to Mittenwald via Garmisch. Parked by the train station and hiked east to the beginning of the trail up the West Karwendelspitze. Reached the Mittenwalderhutte in about two hours (1518 meters) and had lunch there. Weather had been overcast with occasional rain. Left the hut by the trail to the WestlicheKarwendelspitze which was steep and rocky. Crossed 5-6 snow banks, encountered sections of wire-fixed-guidelines at narrow trail portions. Overcast prevented seeing the height and steepness. Heavy rain began falling. We debated turning back but pressed on, figuring the summit was nearer than the hut. Trail gave out and we had to hand and foot it up toward the top. Another pair of climbers came along and found the red trail markers. We reached the top of the face and decided to head for the cable car station (2244 meters). Dried off, drank and returned to Mittenwald by cable car. Time from hut to top about two hours.
June 25
Evans and I had planned to go into the Karwendel again to take the Birkarspitze (2749 meters) and stay at the Karwendelhaus. But the folks at the DAV (Deutsche Alpen Verein/German Alpine Society) told us it was snowed in (the peak) and likely hard to surmount. We elected to go to the Falkenhutte where it was also more likey that our DAV temporary receipts (memberships?) would be accepted. Drove via Kochel-Walchensee, turned off on tol l road to Vorderiss, crossed border into Austria to Hinteriss and finally Eng, which was actually just a Gasthaus, kiosk, hotel and a cow farm. Again it was overcast. Laden with full packs we headed up toward the hut. We were both quickly winded (Eng 1218 meters, Falkenhutte 1850 meters). Dirt and gravel path, wet. Approaching the Hochjoch (1795 meters) encountered large snowfield. Down from the joch it began to fog and then rain. Donned sweater, then anorak, finally poncho. Reached hut after three hours, exhausted and wet. Drank, ate, went to sleep early.
June 26
Up at 6:30am, breakfasted, then set off with small packs – apple cider/mineral water ½ & ½, bread, cheese, ham, chocolate. From the hut we went around the base of the Ladizkopfl (1921 meters) and set off up to the peak of the Mahnkopf (2093 meters). It was hot, sunny, extremely bright. A fantastic day. Trail deceptively steep, with occasional snow and snow melt streams. Reached summit in about 1 ½ hours, rested, took lots of photos. Set off downhill over a long snow field. I took out my poncho and used it as a sled. It was slow and of course wet but fun. Headed uphill again toward the Steinspitze (2348 meters). Saw families of Chamois en route, took some long distance photos but without a telephoto. Trail quickly became narrow with vast drop-offs on both sides. Evans flaked out at about 2150 meters and decided to sit it out. Another solo climber had passed us going up so I set out alone behind him. Trail descended into rough and loose rock. Then up, using hands and feet over rock and snow. Came up one face to a level area then quickly up again skirting to the east of the jagged summit via a long upward snowfield. At end of snowfield turned west, up over rock, hand and foot, to small summit. Other climber descended as I climbed the last 15 meters. At top, took photos, including one of DeKalb hat on the rock cairn marking the summit. Descended carefully. Rested and drank with EH. Slowly back to hut and a long rest.
June 27
Left hut early to descend to car via Laliderer Tal (valley). Took about 3 – 3 1/2 hours. We were held up by big bulls whose interest turned from grazing to us. Encountered at least four herds. Apparently missed the bus into Eng, but quickly got a ride in a Saab driven by a German and his wife. Weather again hot and bright but with scattered clouds. Took the long way back (to Munich) via Tegernsee and back roads.
July 2
Planned to go out again with EH but it was raining all day.
(My diary entries don’t reflect any further outings with Evans but then I notice I only put sporadic notes so I can’t rule out other trips with him. In fact I am pretty positive there were more. )
1 comment:
I am truly sad that Evans Hays had passed away. I was present at his and Sally's wedding near London in 1994. I last saw him in DC in 1999 or so and we later lost touch. I remember him fondly as a superb VOA colleague with a sense of humour, a deep radio voice and a sense of adventure. He will be missed.
Kris Janowski
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