June 12, 2014 – Castelrotto to Schlern.

We left Castelrotto at 11 am. Trailhead 11:30. Saltner Hütte 1:00. Left Saltner Hütte 1:30. Schlernhus 4:15.

Bus to Suisi. Cable car to Compatsch. Started out at 11:30. Break for coffees, 1:00-1:30 at Saltner Hütte.

This trail was described by the hostel as “the ‘tourist trail’ and should present no difficulties.” The first part, over rolling hills and an easy ravine was fine. But when we hit the switchback ascent to Schlern – which included crossing some patches of remaining (melting and slick) snow – it was arduous.

The hike to Schlern. The easy part.

The hike to Schlern. The easy part.

We’re gonna walk to the top of THAT. The hike to Schlern. The easy part.

The hike to Schlern. The easy part.

The hike to Schlern. The easy part.

The hike to Schlern. The easy part.

The hike to Schlern. The easy part.

The hike to Schlern. The easy part.

The hike to Schlern. The easy part.

The hike to Schlern. The easy part.

The hike to Schlern. The hard part.

The hike to Schlern. The hard part. Rick Steves didn’t mention this.

The hike to Schlern.

The hike to Schlern.

The time on the sign is 3 hrs 10 min. We arrived at Schlernhus at 4:15 after almost 5 hours. Thankfully we had no injuries and were not especially sore, but it was definitely beyond our level of conditioning – and air thinness left us winded every few minutes.

Video: Reaching the top of Schlern.

Schlern: our hostel! Schlernhaus.

Schlern: Schlernhaus.

Schlern: Schlernhaus.

Schlern: the cross on Monte Pez, above Schlernhaus.

We laid down, before dinner – Laura slept but I did not.

We had great company at dinner, and we lingered long after we’d eaten, until we started turning in.

No showers, no hot water. Before turning in, Laura and I watched a thunder storm over the mountains behind us, from a hall window. Awesome.