Day 1 – Schwaz – Weidener Hütte – 1350 vertical meters
The team was motivated to the tips of their toes; everyone packed their backpack, checked their tire pressure, and grinned with anticipation. The goal for Day 1 was clear to everyone: a short distance of not even 30 kilometers but still 1350 vertical meters had to be covered. The Weidener Hütte at 1800m was supposed to welcome us all very warmly in the evening. Until then, however, it was a tough climb, and even the guide had to gather all his strength. Due to a lack of other refreshment stops, the 14 Alpine crossers completed the steady ascent without major breaks – the occasional interruptions were all cheerfully filled with company anecdotes.
Just as we entered the hut, heavy rain started; everything had gone perfectly. The hut hosts Maria & Michael provided us with an almost festive and opulent meal that evening. 3 courses and a great atmosphere made our stay truly perfect. Meanwhile, outside, a natural spectacle of clouds and fog (and diminishing rain) provided ample entertainment. What a fantastic start.
Day 2 – Weidener Hütte – Tuxer Joch Haus – 1550 vertical meters
The forecasts for Day 2 were mixed. The AlpX team had knowledgeable weather app users, so all 14 participants were constantly updated on rain probability and trend. Real clarity came from the knowledgeable advice of hut host Michi: "Friends, start as early as possible if you want to arrive dry at Tuxer Joch Haus at 2 pm" – this advice was reluctantly accepted by some, as it meant getting out of bed at 6 am. But duty called, so everyone was at the breakfast table at 6:30 am, combed and more or less awake, with nothing lacking.
Start 7:05 am – Chapeau.
And again, nature showed its best side: steaming mist and moving cloud formations revealed a magnificent backdrop, the sun broke through and made the slopes glisten. What a spectacle.
We arrived in Vorderlanersbach dry and had to stop for photos again and again. A tiny wrong turn would later be blamed on the guide several times, but it didn't dampen morale.
After the first 500 vertical meters were covered on an almost empty stomach, the next refreshment stop was unnecessary. Another good 1000 vertical meters were still on the program, and time was relentlessly ticking by.
The Alpine crossers now pushed towards Tuxer Joch Haus, located at 2320m. We pedaled, we sweated, and hoped to escape the thickening clouds. The track created by the guide would reveal a (previously unnoticed) surprise: a 30-40 minute pushing section of the uncomfortable kind, over hill and dale, steep and rugged. As the sky grew darker, the rain started half an hour earlier than planned – what did we learn: even the app doesn't know the whole truth. We didn't let that stop us and fought our way up the mountain. Punctually at 2 pm, slightly wet, we reached the Tuxer Joch Haus, which couldn't compare to the Weidener Hütte. But at least: a roof over our heads, it could get rough, and it would. Bunk and hut romance.
Day 3 – Tuxer Joch Haus – Brenner – Sterzing – 700 vertical meters
The thick fog would not clear until early morning on Day 3, obscuring the view of the Tux Glacier. As a result, the extensive rain remained persistent, requiring all equipment: overshoes, rain pants, rain jacket, hood, gloves – the full program. We started in good spirits, anticipating the 2000(!) vertical meters of descent ahead. We were not disappointed. A trail at its finest, 100% rideable, at times spectacular and perfectly categorized as "sensational." We carved our way into the valley, focused and broadly grinning. In good weather, it would have been almost unbearable.
As we landed in Gries am Brenner, the first blue patches appeared in the sky – from then on it would stay dry. When angels travel.
Now the group split into two: Fraction 1, completely soaked, longed for the hotel in Sterzing and took the smaller hump over the Brenner, and Fraction 2 still wanted to take on the planned Sattelbergalm, no matter how soaked they were.
In the evening, "all's well that ends well" .. we dined excellently at Nepomuk in Sterzing and continued to celebrate the high spirits.
Day 4 – Sterzing – Schwaz – 600 vertical meters
Day 4 closed the circle with a proper ride in one go from Sterzing to Schwaz (7 bikers, 92km, 640m elevation) or a leisurely private bus ride (6 people).
Conclusion: "One Team one Spirit" was also lived in the "Upgrade" version of Project 2016 ALP. 14 colleagues completed this Alpencross not only successfully but also extremely happily and content. Morale was exceptionally high every second of this long weekend (Thu-Sun), the mood indescribably good, and the fact that there were no breakdowns or flat tires compensated for the rainy morning on Day 3. Enough said: sometimes pictures speak for themselves. See for yourself. Thanks at this point also for the perfect clothing in the form of bike shirt & shorts. Super fit, super function. We are satisfied.
© Udo Kewitsch, Jul25, by www.udokah.de / Insta #wwwudokahde
