Av2 Europa ing corr.indd

T Tourist, suitable for all, simple
E hikEr
EE Experienced HikEr
EEA Experienced HikEr with mountAineering equipment
A mountAineer
In Austria, however, another coloured evaluation system is used,
as with the ski slopes. The labelling is usually yellow with the path
number, walking time and difficulty grade:
Blue easy-walking path, equivalent to T and E
Red medium/difficult, equivalent to EE
Black difficult, equivalent to EEA and A
Recommended Walking Time
The best season for walking the suggested trails is undoubtedly summer,
from June until September. Walking the trails in summer means
that one is likely to encounter from favourable weather conditions.
The three High Altitude Trails described in this guide together
form the European-High Altitude Trail No. 2. Each path does of
course have its own individual qualities: the Wipp Valley High-
Altitude Trail and the European High-Altitude Trail are easy to walk
in July and August, while the Dolomite High Altitude Trail No. 2 can
be walked from 20th June until the end of September.
On the Wipp Valley High-Altitude Trail, some patches of snow
and ice and other slippery surfaces can be encounted at over 2,500m
in early summer.
The Europa High-Altitude Trail reaches higher altitudes and
one is therefore more likely to encounter snow and ice. The Europa
mountain hut as starting point lies at an altitude of 2,693m where the
cold and frost can prove a stern test for the inexperienced hiker. The
Kreuzspitze on the second stage reaches an altitude of 3,132m and is
a peak that demands respect. Even in summer, a sudden change in
the weather can bring difficulties for the hiker and an easy descent
can become treacherous if the rocks are covered with hail or snow.
On the Dolomite High-Altitude Trail No. 2 one can also encounter
snow and ice on the ground even in midsummer. This applies
particularly on the alternative route No. 5 of the sixth stage, leading
in the direction of Marmolada (Punta Penía, summit at 3,343m),
and also on the eighth stage on the Passo delle Faràngole, (pass at
2,932m) and in the surrounding area.
The hiker should always have climbing aids such as climbing irons,
which are normally light and can be carried in a rucksack, and use them
as soon as they find themselves on a path covered with snow and ice.
In this case, the use of a pickaxe and a light rope is often necessary
to secure less experienced walkers. After all, an accident is a bad
experience for every alpinist.
Equipment
Every mountain hiker must pay special attention to his equipment.
The market offers endless varieties of products of all different
types, colours and technical specifications for every season. In a
number of specialised shops experts are on hand to advise the hiker,
allowing for a thorough preparation. Nevertheless, here are a few of
our own recommendations:
The choice of the right clothing such as underwear is very important:
Traditional clothing made of wool or cotton has been replaced
today by synthetics such as polypropylene, which are often mixed
with polyester fibres or other newly developed clothing material. This
helps sweat to evaporate and keeps the body dry by managing perspiration.
(textile and clothing research is constantly developing and by
the time this guide is published new materials will have appeared).
14 INNSBRUCK - BRIXEN - FELTRE EUROPA HIG--ALTITUDE TRAIL 2 15