From Fluonalp to Brienz via the Dirrengrind

After a nice breakfast we start the day not really sure what the plan is, except for knowing that we're going to walk and enjoy the weather. We figure starting towards the Höch Gumme is as good as a way to kick things off as anything, so off we go. Up, up we go, along normal hiking paths and enjoying the sun and views, up, up to the cross at Mändli. Since it's there and we can, we scramble up onto the bit of rock that's a bit further along the North ridge. Great views back towards the Rossflue and yesterday's fun. This is a good example of the "it doesn't look like there's a path there" effect: the route that we took to get from the SE ridge to the Chringe looks really unlikely.

the route down from the Rossflue we took yesterday

Further along the ridge we go, continuing to climb and enjoy the views (great shadows thanks to the low-angle Fall sun) until we get to the Höch Gumme. First decision: continue onwards towards the Brienzer Rothorn instead of heading back to the gondola. Onward we go, continuing along the ridge and now starting to encounter other people in steadily increasing numbers. At the saddle below the Arnihaaggen we opt to head up the slab next to the trail (same as last time). Up top we stop for a lunch break, enjoy the views, and are astounded by the number of people underway - it's clear that this would be a popular destination, but the numbers really are something. Second decision: onwards and down towards Brienz via the Dirrengrind; we had talked about not doing a T5 today, but the description sounds too good to pass it up.

along the ridge towards Arnihaagen

After the break we continue along the ridge to the Eiseesattel, where wave goodbye to the Brienzer Rothorn over us (not today!) and then turn downhill towards the lake. The good path leads us down (less crowded!), down, down to the cluster of small houses at Gibelegg. Here we top off our water bottles and then continue along the obvious and well-used, but unmarked trail that continues along the face. After some nice hiking through the woods we reach the ridge at p1764 and see the Dirrengrind for the first time. Wow! Impressive looking bit of steep landscape and, from where we are standing, no immediately obvious route through it. Good thing there's a trail. :-) Onwards we go, putting on the helmets (which we've been carrying with us, along with ice axes in case of steep grass, all weekend) since there are chamoix above us kicking down rocks, following the well-made, though pretty exposed, trail across the face. Lots of cool (and somewhat subtle) protecting walls in here; 
there's even a small hut about halfway across (that'd be a fun place to bivvy!). 

through the south face of the Dirrengring

On the other side we rejoin normal hiking trail, which we follow past an awesomely situated and well-maintained hut, to the Felsentor. Short stop from here to enjoy the views and look up at the hotel on the Rothorn, and then we head down on a nice trail through the woods to Planalp. It's going to be about 30 minutes until the next train down (and greg is skeptical that we'll get a seat on it anyway), so we skip that experience and opt to walk down to Brienz instead. We follow the pretty nice path down, down, crossing the road repeatedly, down through the woods, down along the train tracks, down to Brienz. The (quite full looking) train passes us a couple of minutes before we get to the station. Good call on walking. :-)

At the station we have a break while waiting for the bus (there's construction on the train tracks) that will start the trip back home.

Another really nice day of walking with great views through varied and interesting terrain!

Track:
Stats: 17.2km, ~1100m up, 2080m down.