MONTE MAGRO

We decide for the target Monte Magro after refleclion, that much snow does not lie there on this february. The ascent we lead from the nord from the valley Bachertal. The last place for leaving our car is the village Riva di Tures, exactly its part near to a hotel Sage - 1660 asl (above sea level).

After departure there is -9.5°C, so after first night we are little bit frozen as we go up through the forest from the hotel. The way first wide and modified quickly change to narrow path made from skialp and foot prints. It is about 50 cm of snow cover and it sometimes broken. It is quite difficult way in snow boots to chalets Epacher Alm - 2041 asl.   Small seat for relax is there and fortunately the way is not so steep from now. The cottage Kasseler Hutte is already visible, though we better would not see it. Traverse over exposed slope follows, than passing bridge over stream Tristenbach a finaly ascent to the cottage.  The cottage is still closed in this time. The cottage Kasseler Hutte (Rif. Roma) - 2274 asl. is situated under cone of the top Tristennockl. Vista of Durreck Gruppe and surroundings is magnificent. We owernight in leeward of the cottage on bottom terrace. The temperature decreases to terrible -16°C during night.

Only two of us are in a good condition after yesterday's rum corroboree.  We go up past marked footpath no. 8 as far as by rockery set edge. Snow isn't trodden,  so it makes smaller problems. By clear orientation we turn left on the edge and along sporadicaly visible hobbits (small towers built of stones, which show the right way) we advanced further.  The sun burns us to our  backs from bright sky and the way goes on well.  In 2800 asl. (above the sea level) above smaller lapidary step we are left by our friend "Plechman". He goes back to the cottage. Yesterday's drunk litre of rum evidently doesn't work like performance's support.   Already slowly we pass bow window of glazed frost Riesferner as far as its top mild part.  Our looks are drawed especially by closer,  gigantic pyramid of the summit Hochgall - 3436 asl.  Scratches are completely below rougher firn,  so that progress is relatively safe. Next step is to achive vertical "saddle"  in northwest edge. From here only slightly, last perhaps 30 metre, to vertical cross with excelent view of whole Dolomiti, Presanella, Ortler, Zillertaler Alps and High Taur mountains with massives Rotspitze and Grossvenediger.

In the ascendent we spend perhaps 45 minutes and than descent directly the centre of glazed frost Riesferner as far as its lower steeper part Tristenkees. It takes last 10 minutes to the cottage so we stop and with gorgeous view we fire one of the last cigarettes. Only silence and kingliness of surrounding mountains together with burning sun  were like balm on soul.

 After next frosty night close to Kasseler Hütte we descent the same way like up to the pictorial precinct Riva di Tures and soon in the morning ride away home.