Haentzschelstiege, suitable for team of beginners?

**GeeksInTheWild** » 15 Januar 2010 15:03

Hello.

I am planning a trip for a group of people, we are planning to take a weekend to Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz.

All members of this group has a different experience in outdoor life, but none has climped before.

We would like to try out "Via ferrata" - we like some action on our trips Wink

We have looked at Haentzschelstiege
http://www.via-ferrata.de/img-klettersteig-haentzschelstiege-332.htm#Google_Maps

But i have no idea if this route can be completed by a group of novices Smile

I know what kind of equipment is needed, just want to know if it is possible Smile

Looking forward to get a response Smile

Thanks in advance
Mikkel

**wolf** » 15 Januar 2010 19:42

hi mikkel.

having been there in fall 2008, I can asure you that this route is suitable also for beginners.
harness and safety equipment is required. don't be irritated by many people climbing the ferrata without harness, etc.

the route is quiet short but interesting and exciting, not to difficult and very well maintained.

from the top of the rocks you'll have a spectacular view over the national park, before a scenic path will lead you back to the valley.

the 'zwillingsstiege' would be a nice add-on or a warm up.

apart from climbing and hiking I recommend to visit the city of Dresden. for dinner the restaurant 'Pulverturm', a medival restaurant situated in the old powder magazin close to the Frauenkirche is my favourite.

don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions. Smile

**GeeksInTheWild** » 15 Januar 2010 22:40

Hi Wolf.

Thanks for you reply.
Cool, then i will try to get a quick course in basic use harness system ( as i will be the responsible person on the trip ) - and take aleast those two routes Smile

Can you recommend other routes nearby? We will be in the area from Thursday 20th may to Sunday 23rd Smile

Best regards
Mikkel

**wolf** » 16 Januar 2010 10:24

GeeksInTheWild hat folgendes geschrieben::Hi Wolf.

Thanks for you reply.
Cool, then i will try to get a quick course in basic use harness system ( as i will be the responsible person on the trip )

hi mikkel.

that's very vital and wise. Smile

I think the 'ottendorfer raubschloss' ferrata and the 'hintere raubschloss' ferrata could be of interest to you, even they are less difficult and a harness might not be required/inapplicable. but take it with you, just in case. Wink

BTW, where are you from?

**Julian** » 16 Januar 2010 17:48

I would like to add one thing:

Make sure that you get local up-to-date information about the conditions of the ferrata, as we have had snow and ice at the Höhenglückssteig here in Frankonia in the last weeks. This can lead to difficulties you normally would not expect on an easy tour like the one you are planing. Wolf can surely assess quite easily if that could be a problem for you.

(@Wolf: Das soll diesmal wirklich keine Anspielung sein, sondern ich kenne den Steig nicht, habe aber in der Beschreibung von Ralf gelesen, dass das ein Problem darstellen kann! Ansonsten klingt Mikkel finnisch, oder?)

**Ralf** » 16 Januar 2010 18:19

GeeksInTheWild hat folgendes geschrieben::
Can you recommend other routes nearby? We will be in the area from Thursday 20th may to Sunday 23rd

hi julian,

as mikkel will be in germany in may there would not be any snow left at all Wink

@ mikkel... haentzschelstiege is a great scenic route! have fun and enjoy your stay in germany!

greetz, Ralf

**Julian** » 16 Januar 2010 23:06

Uuuuuuuuuups.....ok...

**wolf** » 17 Januar 2010 12:23

hahaha, tschuliän.....I'm laughing my ass off!

but ok...here's the weather assessment of wolf for the Sächsische Schweiz May 2010:

usually partly cloudy with moderat temperatures of 20-22 degrees celsius, but also strong winds are possible during the days as well as local showers.
the chance of ice and snow in the region is close to 0%. Wink

ice pick and crampons are therefor not required. Wink

**GeeksInTheWild** » 18 Januar 2010 9:33

Hehe, i don't expect any ice - that's for sure.. Smile

But you will never know in these global warming times Cool

Where can i find more information or just GPS coordinates to the entraces of these routes?

As we will be hiking the whole weekend we will be carrying backpacks - which is not suitable for via ferrata/climping.. Will we return to the same entrance when finished at the route? or does the routes start and end at different places?
Do you know what the rules are about tenting, and campfires? Are there any places where we can put up some tents, and light a camp fire (I do know this probably isn't the right forum to ask, but you guys seems to know the nationalpark well Smile

)

Ohh, and i am from Denmark Smile

**Ralf** » 18 Januar 2010 10:29

Hi,

the GPS coordinates for the starting point of haentzschelstiege are
N 50°55'05", E 14°14'07"

here you will now also find the best route together with some other "stiegen" crossing the NP => Häntzschelstiege

and yes, your route will start and end at the same point - in best cases at Beuthenfall in Kirnitzsch-valley (here you can come from Bad Schandau with a small train)

I think camping and fire places are within the nationalpark not allowed!

greetz, Ralf

**wolf** » 18 Januar 2010 11:35

hallo mikkel.

concerning campfires and camping in the nationalpark: this is something very special in this area!

campfires are prohibited!
camping (in a tent) is not allowed, too.

BUT: it is allowed to stay overnight in the park. just under the open sky or in special places called "Boofen", which are nothing but little caves or just overhanging rocks which give shelter from rain and wind. this is some special camping you'll find nowhere else in germany. Wink

please check out this link and the pdf.doc's at the very bottom of the page for an overview.
http://www.nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/red5/sonstiges/Freiuebernachten/index.html?set_lang_id=2
some parts of the site are in english, some unfortunately aren't. Confused

**GeeksInTheWild** » 18 Januar 2010 11:48

I had heard about the Boofe - but did not quite understood the concept.. i do now, thanks! Smile

How large are these Boofe? How many people can sleep in them? Would be nice if we shouldn't carry any tents.
And what about simple bivouacs? (A raincover strapped between two trees)

As a backup a solution could be a nearby camping area? Where we can setup a permanent camp for the weekend, and then just have day trips to the nationalpark - are there any nearby camping areas where we can setup our tents?

Best regards
Mikkel

**wolf** » 18 Januar 2010 12:21

hej mikkel.

I don't know how the rangers would react on a blanket strapped between trees. may be they consider this a tent...may be not. Confused

I would leave the tents home, bring some plastic blankets and rope and if it rains and you don't find a boofe, you put up your rainprotection.
please don't use nails but ropes to fix the blankets:!:

the sizes of the boofen differ from suitable for 4-5 pers to this:
http://www.geo-reisecommunity.de/bild/18972/Hoehle-Boofe-im-Elbsandsteingebirge

if you check out the map I've mentioned in my last posting you'll find some "boofen hot-spots", where many boofen cumulate.
I think here all of you will find a dry and cosy place for the night. Wink

campground:
check this out. brandnew and at best location http://www.berg-oase.de/index_en.html

**GeeksInTheWild** » 19 Januar 2010 9:30

Ohh, that campground couldn't be placed better! We will sure put up a camp there Smile

Then we don't have to worry about cars, and so on.

And then may take a single night in the boofes (that concept is really cool, just bad it isn't allowed to put up campfires Sad

)

Do you know any shops where we can rent via ferrata equipment? I'm not sure everybode will go and invest in their own set.

Best regards
Mikkel

**wolf** » 19 Januar 2010 9:46

I will send a pn to our buddy "nove". he lives in the dresden area and may know about a Shop for equipment rental.

hang on. Wink