St Anton in Arlberg

[Diane Clement]

We had to find our route through large stands of Pinus mugo, growing low in large clumps

there's Gentiana purpurea growing in the middle of the clump

[Diane Clement]

I don't think I have ever seen so many Gentiana purpurea at once.  That's Carol taking pictures of them

Gentiana purpurea

[Diane Clement]

We could see St Christoph over the fields

[Diane Clement]

It was a very quiet village, mainly a winter resort, but it had a bus connection back to St Anton. 
Here we waited at the bus stop by the Hotel Hospiz, built in the 14th century as a refuge for travellers, but now a luxury hotel.  Bus times didn't allow us to go in for a look

[shelagh]

Two things. Does Gentiana purpurea ever!!!! open properly? Secondly I've just got back from Siran in the Languedoc (31 degrees on several days) and I found these lovely cool pictures waiting for me I've really enjoyed them.

[Diane Clement]

That's day 4 over.  
Day 5 was the big flower day ... where we hit the limestone high slopes, snow melt, and I took 300 pictures that day ...
I better select just a few    

[Diane Clement]

Two things. Does Gentiana purpurea ever!!!! open properly? Secondly I've just got back from Siran in the Languedoc (31 degrees on several days) and I found these lovely cool pictures waiting for me I've really enjoyed them.

Hi Shelagh!
I think these G purpurea were as good as I have ever seen them, that's about what you get. 

[Ragged Robin]

Wonderful scenery Diane, the 360 degree view is amazing!  Was it pretty cold up on the summit?  It must be hard to walk on the snow at this time of year....thanks for your descriptions of this lovely area and for showing the plants, snake and moth you found - looking forward to more 

[Paddy Tobin]

Diane,

The great show continues, much to my enjoyment. The photographs of G. purpurea are great.

Paddy

[Maggi Young]

 Superb photos, Diane.... thank you!  

 errrrm..... there aren't going to be many more cable cars and such, are there?
Feeling a bit queasy..... pix altogether TOO clear!

[Diane Clement]

Superb photos, Diane.... thank you!    

Thank YOU.

   errrrm..... there aren't going to be many more cable cars and such, are there?
Feeling a bit queasy..... pix altogether TOO clear!   

Yes, one or two    
But it's OK, if you'd rather walk up, we'll see you there.  We'll get in the hot chocolate and apple strudel ready for you, in an hour or three ...  

[Maggi Young]

  in an hour or three

 maybe just a bit longer, Diane.... you know I'm not built for speed......

[Armin]

Diane, super travel report with great images
I'm exitingly waiting for day 5   ...

[Diane Clement]

Day 5 starts with a couple of lifts up to Gampen (where we walked across to on Day 2), then up to Kappall at 2315.  Maggi, you can either close your eyes, grit your teeth and we'll tell you when we're there, or it's a long old walk up.

Here's the view down and across from the middle station
And a view up to where we're heading.  You will see the lift is a chair lift type - the best type of lift if you can suppress the ever so slightly scary thoughts.
The last bit of green high up, before it gives way to scree is where we saw the biggest variety of plants.  The top skyline ridge is where some chaps were walking on the Klettersteig route

[Diane Clement]

We walked a few metres from the top station and found plenty of good flowers growing among the grassy areas.  I hope my names are OK, but please throw in suggestions if not

Silene acaulis
Myosotis alpestris
Dryas octopetala
Androsace obtusifolia