01^Jan Sun
11:00

I plan to hike to the southernmost point of Germany and, if the weather and trail conditions permit, to one or two summits to the north.

The minimal plan is Gehren – Zollhütte – Haldenwanger Eck (southernmost point of Germany) – Zollhütte – Gehren, cf. https://out.ac/IFLA3p (this is T2 in the summer).  The maximal plan is Gehren – Zollhütte – Haldenwanger Eck (southernmost point of Germany) – Koblat – Liechelkopf (2384 m) – Walser Geißhorn (2366 m) – Sterzersee – Obere Hirschgehrenalpe – Zollhütte – Gehren, cf. https://out.ac/IFHxct (this is T5 in the summer, and it'd work only under the most ideal conditions). The exact route depends on the trail conditions and the weather, which vary a lot in winter. Thus, it's a bit difficult to determine the exact route precisely beforehand. As long as the trail remains hikeable with hiking boots, crampons, snow shoes, and hiking poles, it will be tried provided time is left. I won't climb on ice and won't walk blindly without seeing any path signs. Most realistically, after Haldenwanger Eck, I try to hike slightly further on the walkable trails of the south slopes of the mountain ridge, and, with some luck, get closer to Geißhorn. If I'm lucky to get far enough, on the way back, I am going to consider taking a hardly known trail from Sterzersee to the south-east (or take the traditional route) till the German border.

For a co-hiker, ankle-covering hiking boots, enough of water, spikes/crampons, and a lamp are mandatory. Who doesn't have these items, does NOT join me on this hike. If a co-hiker brings hiking poles, it's a must to put cups on the tips while not using the hiking poles; this way the co-hiker reduces the risk of unintentionally hurting others. It's also very much advised to take snow shoes (though, not strictly required because a co-hiker might feel fine with the possibility of having snow inside his/her hiking boots).

I advise taking at least 3 L of water, food, raincoat/poncho, snow shoes, warm clothes, warm gloves, gaiters, hygienic items, a fully charged mobile phone, a headlamp (as opposed to a hand light), disinfection liquid, and skin plasters for the hike.

I take my food with me.

I'm going to check the weather forecast around 36 h before the hike. If much rain or snow is anticipated, I'm likely to move the hike to another day or shorten the hike for safety reasons. Around 12:30 h before the hike, I'm going to check whether at least 2 more hikers plan to join me, and if less than 2 plan to join me, I may cancel the hike or move it to another day.

I hike up relatively fast and down slowly.

Whoever joins my car: If the vehicle, including its tyres, gets damaged on the way (which is more risky than usual due to celebrations and more glass and other garbage on the road), you share the costs arising from that that the insurance/warranty would not cover, whichever they happen to be (unlikely worst case: towing, spending a night elsewhere, transport).