Mirnock (2.110m) 18.5.2013
As the weather is forecast to deteriorate the next days and today could be the only good day weatherwise, we decide to leave the hotel shortly after arrival for a walk on Mirnock.
We drive via Radenthein to Erlach and Wiesen abranch off immediately after Lake Afritz to make use of a well maintained gravel road (a road charge of 5 Euro has to be payed) leading us 800 metres up to the Kohlweißhütte. From there, we walk up to the Mirnock ridge and further on to the summit. 500 m of joyful ascent and descent mainly over grass. As we start as late as 2:30 p.m., the tour is rather short.
My companions, Alex and Peter
Mountain torrent near the hut ...
... accompanied by thousands of kingcups (Caltha palustris).
Kohlweißhütte
Gadgetries at the beck ...
The route now leads steep upwards. Here, spring has come only a few weeks ago.
The small (Austrian) variant of Alpine Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla alpina subsp. austriaca)
Near the beck Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium alternifolium) - Thanks to Robert Hansmann for Identification!
Alpine snowbell (Soldanella alpina) show that here has been snow only a short time ago.
At this point, Peter turns back because of big problems with his knees.
We climb higher ...
... and get a good view over the Carinthian Nock mountains.
Looking over to Mirnock summit.
Alex takes my camera to make a picture of me ...
Alpine snowbells are much nicer though
View to "Kaiserburg", one of Kleinkirchheim´s ski centres.
Nearly arrived on the ridge.
Nock mountains, far left the Rosennock (2.440)
Only half an hour to Mirnock summit.
A small tarn on the ridge ...
A few steps further, and we get the view down to the Drau valley. Mirnock is said to be one of Carinthia´s best view places, this can be wholeheartedly confirmed. This panorama shows (from left to right) the Karawanken mountains , behind are the Julian Alps (Slowenia), then Dobratsch, Drau valley, Gailtal Alps and far right the Kreuzeck group. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
Zooming in on the Julian Alps. Here somewhere is the Triglav (2.864 m), Slowenia´s highest mountain.
Mittagskogel in the Karawanken
Dobratsch with the transponder of the ORF
Karawanken of Unterkärnten
More early spring messengers: Lots of Fairy primroses (Primula minima) are growing in more rocky terrain of the ridge.
View to northwest to the Kreuzeck group.
Panoramic view of the small tarn. Nock muintins in behind. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
Someone has created a resting place here ... too cold for bathing though.
View along the tarn to the Kreuzeck group and to the Hohe Tauern.
Hohe Tauern behind the Möll valley.
More rocky places with Fairy primroses. Here the view goes to the East to the Nock mountains.
We now walk along the ridge in Northern direction. View back to Rindernock.
Someone has erected big rocks here with engraved small messages.
And then,. all of a sudden, the view down not only to the Drau valley, but also to Lake Millstadt, with the Hohe Tauern in behind.
A work of art as a resting place - I wonder how long the bondings between the wood parts will stand the extremes up here.
Lake Millstadt.
Once more the view to the southern Julian Alps.
Hohe Tauern to the North, partly wrapped in clouds ...
...
Kreuzeck group
Nearly arrived on Mirnock summit.
Traces of human activity.
Alex beneath the summti cross.
A small wayside shrine and the unevitable fingerpost.
Lake Millstadt, Kreuzeck group and Hohe Tauern.
Julian Alps
360 degree Panorama from the summit of Mirnock (2.110 m). Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
View to Unterkärnten ...
... and over the northern end of the ridge, Bodeneck (2.006 m).
One more panorama from West to Northeast, from near the Mirnock summit. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
Zooming in on the Hohe Tauern. Bad weather is drawing in from the west.
Lake Millstadt and Bodeneck
Staring the descent - a huge cornice near the summit.
More Fairy primroses in rocky terrain.
A last glimpse of the Julian Alps.
Alex
Mittagskogel - in early evening light.
Karawanken
A dead tree - like a wild animal with many legs ...
Stemless Gentian (Gentiana acaulis) near the hut.
The hut and the mountain pasture, in early evening light
A short stop at the drive back to catch the lovely evening near Lake Afritz.
