The next morning we got started at 8:30 and started moving out through the forests. We went up and down a bit but mostly this was a beautiful hike through the high woods. Eventrually we moved up into the more stony Moosscheibe and then did the extra hike up to the famous lookout point at 1718 meters high over the Königsee. Christine checked her phone while I stood in the hot sunshine admiring the view. I've heard that Humbolt said this was the prettiest spot in all of Germany. We certainly appreciated it. There is an especially good view of the south side of the Watzmann from here.

However, we got here by accident. Had we been really observant, we would have done as the other people did and left our packs back at the main trail. This would have been ok, but one of the main straps on my pack broke on the way down. The pack is nearly 15 years old and was only meant for day hikes anyway. I'll have to get a new one, along with new shoes, which are on their 2nd soles and have pretty much have had it.

The way through the forest went prett much downhill now until we reached the branchpoint at 1525 meters with the bailout route to Salet, where you can catch a boat back to Schonau. Then the path started back up and we rested when we we got to the Grünsee. After that, there was a steep climb up to 1716 meters before we entered the wide valley sloping down to the Kärlinger Haus at 1630 meters.

The Kärlinger Haus has been massively enlarged from the original structure and is amazingly equiped, with its own helicopter, a big kitchen, and even warm showers after 17:30. We arrived at 13:30 - only a five hour hike. So we had plenty of time to relax on the porch, admire the the Funkensee, eat applestrudel and coffee, and drink beer before shower time. We also washed out clothes and hung them to dry.

They sold walking sticks and we bought some for Christine. She had been using only her young strong legs for the trip so far. I needed that advantage. But it was time for her to start using sticks. She loved them.

There was a funny English couple that we observed on the porch. He seemed about 70 and she was hard of hearing so had to point a device at him when he talked. The hotess put us in the same 4 bed room as them. Christine was told by the man that he snored and so she got us a different room. It is worth noting that the hostess of this hut is seemingly unfriendly. She is very busy and runs a very large and well-equiped operation. However, as we were leaving the next day when things were quiet, I asked for help with a screwdriver, she was very friendly and helpful.