Getting a little closer to our summit goal
The path to the "Torsäule" is an awe-inspiring hike. Last weekend, we only managed to complete the first part, as the higher elevations were already covered in snow and to be honest, going further was beyond our current levels of fitness.
The hike started with a drive from Mühlbach up to the Arthurhaus restaurant.
Hiking from there towards Mitterfeldalm, and then on and around the end of the Hochkönig range, you quickly enter into alpine terrain.
The "Torsäule" stands out like a massive rocky pillar, resembling a giant sphynx, it is a gateway marker on the path leading up to the summit of Hochkönig mountain. Perhaps, one day, we will reach that summit, but currently, I have my doubts. It seems like more time in the gym is required!
When you finally reach the point where the Torsäule is visible it seems desceptively close, but as you hike on, it hardly seems to get any closer.
Here's several photos from that tour,...
1
The path up to Mitterfeldalm was a bit foggy at times, with low hanging clouds passing by
![DSC_1216 smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/VKTksRjUjWGOVpsRcbzaZ4Gw3nHCVY5LvPuurLPzAk3oPfYnh3QRtYVYM1vtfgfR/18136/?shva=1)
2
Looking back to the mountain hut at Mitterfeldalm. This place will make for a welcome break on the way back :-)
![DSC_1317 smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/xlHDDRY6E6TfIcD7eABR9YIZzEOfDsqNSB35EHXK3tz2vaa8nPbNgyya471ThlA1/18127/?shva=1)
3
Walking around the end, and looking up towards the Hochkönig mountain
![DSC_1228 smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/1lhZkb6jayAKJQqWpSRkTRhP8zAFtEM3k6ygk5L4PoSOlnEfgF22VWQDxEXzHPmt/18135/?shva=1)
4
"Out of the cold fog" ,.... and back onto the warm and sunny path
![DSC_1240 smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/sjqdIILWgJwXlZaBVn88PSKJufqxtEKOf7fJO3H7Or15d2lsUOXt81YjsP8OzKlW/18133/?shva=1)
5
The intriguing stripy pattern here is caused by rows of autumn coloured ferns
![DSC_1264 - Copy smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/DYlDs5u057IFlcGiE35JuXIQvR0eV8g6A3F2w7aQHrsRVGJcCyxU0Mm4yAFA6Xiz/18134/?shva=1)
6
never miss an opportunity for a sun star :-)
![DSC_1253 smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/6XpxKsEtxSDMDD0sJBqPrhNaLSnuHhD2Jt3i0RdWd34dAgfpGkke55AXjHLm0oXZ/18130/?shva=1)
7
Looking to the right, here's a stitched panorama from 9 vertical shots at 37mm.
We came along the path you can see on the right in the shadow. Quite steep and slippery on the gravel in places
![DSC_1280 d_stitch d smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/lm3P0CjC9r3xsWyvRILMtH6rdCa9cmfCMFQlx4RGWlXW5nBuW9mLQYMzZIvB0oVl/18137/?shva=1)
8
"A thin white line" of snow atop the mountain range.
![DSC_1244 smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/rMoA2tUkm8jU0QidZjrJVhEt5rQQ5P32RSuI9u2NJUM5QCjthokSP2Xb5ZA7wtyM/18132/?shva=1)
9
Now it starts to get more like true "alpine territory"
![DSC_1268 smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/wyMFpvcpJ6HtEMKjMRUHNyxmm4yvyrFUYQwyB0yqIKdHhsLdtKgmHmZqEeyryfJx/18128/?shva=1)
10
At first I thought this peak was the Torsäule, but soon discovered that the peak we were looking for still lays further ahead ,...
![DSC_1277 - Copy - Copy smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/sRm1h0pwJMGxvnIUNrQCZALmwmceoSOikWYlNE8RwFhRNw2DFRCty0WIkd4MZ33e/18131/?shva=1)
11
finally a glance at the sphynx like peak in the distance
![DSC_1303 smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/1DZWWgwQHUmyfJVGBAWXpvLKYw3YJJcaRM9iJZucpMhzpBRbIw5w5eSfhMpqflw0/18129/?shva=1)
12
A little closer, but still far away. One more shot of the Torsäule, before returning back along the same route, and for that meal at the Mitterfeldalm hut :-)
![DSC_1306 smaller.JPG](/a/thumb/A8T0oZouH7WbOgJPIrtvASbL2MpNLBTPMBGYz5hmoygHJ4IlIPvX6PPqxdlwmE2l/18126/?shva=1)