Ofenpass: Ja. Stelvio: Nein. (but Maloja wins for the coolest!)
Jun 12th, 2008, 02:26 AM
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Ofenpass: Ja. Stelvio: Nein. (but Maloja wins for the coolest!)
Hi Ingo! (I figured you would be first to reply) 
We are back and what a great trip.
I think the final "pass tally" was 9 passes - according to one guidebook there are two on the Grossglockner. The day that we were to decide upon the Stelvio (May 30) was very rainy with a low cloud ceiling. We passed the pass (ar ar) about 1 PM and opted for the Ofenpass. I also thought driving the Umbrail (if open - I think it may have opened a few days later) in a brand new car might not have been a wise move.
I'll post more details about it all here, later, but I wanted to thank you, Hausfrau, Schuler, Gruezi, PJA, and everyone else who took an interest in our Alpine Adventure and advised us on things to see and do.
I now have "Alpinitis" and have to go back...
We are back and what a great trip.
I think the final "pass tally" was 9 passes - according to one guidebook there are two on the Grossglockner. The day that we were to decide upon the Stelvio (May 30) was very rainy with a low cloud ceiling. We passed the pass (ar ar) about 1 PM and opted for the Ofenpass. I also thought driving the Umbrail (if open - I think it may have opened a few days later) in a brand new car might not have been a wise move.
I'll post more details about it all here, later, but I wanted to thank you, Hausfrau, Schuler, Gruezi, PJA, and everyone else who took an interest in our Alpine Adventure and advised us on things to see and do.
I now have "Alpinitis" and have to go back...
Jun 12th, 2008, 02:37 AM
#2
Hi Flygirl,
I thought of you at the end of May. You ran into some pretty bad weather I believe. We've had some good days and some real rainy days since.
Looking forward to your trip report. Maybe you could include a link for maps so people know what you are talking about. Even I get confused with some of the passes because there are so many.
One good thing about bad weather: you don't have motorcycles, bike riders and cows to contend with.
I thought of you at the end of May. You ran into some pretty bad weather I believe. We've had some good days and some real rainy days since.
Looking forward to your trip report. Maybe you could include a link for maps so people know what you are talking about. Even I get confused with some of the passes because there are so many.
One good thing about bad weather: you don't have motorcycles, bike riders and cows to contend with.
Jun 12th, 2008, 02:46 AM
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Hi Schuler
The first week or so was pretty much full sun, with some spots of overcast and rain (May 30 included). The second week was pretty much full overcast, with spots of rain and some sun.
In fact, we opted to extend our time on Lake Como due to the bad weather reports (including some huge flooding we saw on CNN, which of course freaked my Mom because she saw how tiny some of the roads were that we drove and that we wouldn't know how bad things were until we got there...).
It was warm on the Lake, but the two extra days were either overcast or rain. We did opt to go to Milan one of the extra days, so we avoided the rain on the lake and instead just had hazy sun in Milan.
The day we drove back to Munich it pretty much rained the whole time as well. (Friday June 6).
You are right, you have a lot less to contend with on the passes when the weather isn't optimal!
The first week or so was pretty much full sun, with some spots of overcast and rain (May 30 included). The second week was pretty much full overcast, with spots of rain and some sun.
In fact, we opted to extend our time on Lake Como due to the bad weather reports (including some huge flooding we saw on CNN, which of course freaked my Mom because she saw how tiny some of the roads were that we drove and that we wouldn't know how bad things were until we got there...).
It was warm on the Lake, but the two extra days were either overcast or rain. We did opt to go to Milan one of the extra days, so we avoided the rain on the lake and instead just had hazy sun in Milan.
The day we drove back to Munich it pretty much rained the whole time as well. (Friday June 6).
You are right, you have a lot less to contend with on the passes when the weather isn't optimal!
Jun 12th, 2008, 02:46 AM
#4
Here's a link that shows the area you've been travelling in. If you click on a specific area, it will show you all the passes and roads located there.
http://www.alpentourer.de/alpenpaesse/
http://www.alpentourer.de/alpenpaesse/
Jun 12th, 2008, 02:47 AM
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ps. Sunday June 1, and Tuesday June 3 were absolutely glorious on Lake Como, so that made us pretty happy. Sun sun sun. Then it kind of went downhill. Munich had nice weather over the weekend though.
Jun 12th, 2008, 02:52 AM
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Thanks Schuler!
Have you ever driven the Spluegen pass? On the way to Munich we had a choice b/w that one, and the Julier pass and Mom had the guidebooks on her lap and opted for the Julierpass. I think she didn't like the description of Spluegen.
Have you ever driven the Spluegen pass? On the way to Munich we had a choice b/w that one, and the Julier pass and Mom had the guidebooks on her lap and opted for the Julierpass. I think she didn't like the description of Spluegen.
Jun 12th, 2008, 02:59 AM
#7
I went over it about 14 years ago as a passenger on my husband's motorcycle. I remember the moon-like scenery at the top and the narrow roads. I know they were doing construction work up there so it's probably a bit different now.
Jun 12th, 2008, 06:53 AM
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Hi flygirl!
Work got in the way, so I couldn't be the first to reply, LOL.
I am glad you're back and enjoyed the trip. Definitely a smart decision to skip the Stelvio on such a rainy day. No fun to drive passes then!
I also thought of you end of May when I heard about all the bad weather in the Alps. Hrmpf. Really bad timing, but I am glad you extended your stay on Lake Como and could enjoy a couple nice days there.
Anxiously waiting for your trip report! ;-)
Work got in the way, so I couldn't be the first to reply, LOL.
I am glad you're back and enjoyed the trip. Definitely a smart decision to skip the Stelvio on such a rainy day. No fun to drive passes then!
I also thought of you end of May when I heard about all the bad weather in the Alps. Hrmpf. Really bad timing, but I am glad you extended your stay on Lake Como and could enjoy a couple nice days there.
Anxiously waiting for your trip report! ;-)
Jun 12th, 2008, 06:54 AM
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Oh, I forgot - the combo Maloja and Julier is much more scenic IMO than the Splügen. Why didn't you drive down the Inn valley and via Fernpass to Munich? I do that all the time and it's the most scenic and shortest route.
Jun 13th, 2008, 06:16 AM
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Hi Ingo
I just dialed into the Nav "fastest way to Munich" and that was what came up. I'll remember your path for the next trip - in the end though it may not have mattered much, since it was rain rain rain - we didn't see a lot that day. It cleared up when we approached Munich though.
Deb - no mosquitoes at all, and I think I saw 3 flies on the whole trip.
I just dialed into the Nav "fastest way to Munich" and that was what came up. I'll remember your path for the next trip - in the end though it may not have mattered much, since it was rain rain rain - we didn't see a lot that day. It cleared up when we approached Munich though.
Deb - no mosquitoes at all, and I think I saw 3 flies on the whole trip.
