On the cripple 1707 m above sea level
«There, where the woods secretly rustle, there, where the eagle flies, I wouldn't trade it with any king, yes, because mini Hötta roars up there.» (author unknown)
A large part of the Liechtenstein Alpine region has been inhabited and managed by the Triesenberger Walser people for more than 600 years. Your ancestors immigrated here around the year 1300 and settled on the sunny heights above the old town of Triesen. Triesenberg is therefore a Walser colony, like those we find on the other side of the Alps in Italy, but especially in Graubünden and in the Vorarlberg. Whether the Triesenberg Walser came directly from the Valais, or whether they moved here from one of the mother colonies on the southern side of the Alps or from Graubünden cannot be determined with certainty. The first known document from 1355 mentions seven «Valaisans», named by name, who built their first homes in loose farm settlements on various terraces. The many Walser German field names indicate intensive settlement and
Cultivation of the area by the Walser, who were forced to open up new pastures in the previously uncultivated highlands. The sometimes adventurous, steep paths that lead to the Maiensässen or to the huts high above the Rhine Valley also go back to this time and are for the most part still accessible today. The area above the village of Triesenberg at an altitude of between around 1200 and 1700m has been used as a hay hill since the Walser settled in the 14th century. The wild hay collected in the Heuberge in July and August was therefore an important addition to the hay fodder. The right to a hay hut was associated with the ownership of a Heuberg parcel (hut space right)
The wild hay was stored in "Magerheuhütti" and only brought down to the valley in winter. Many of these huts are still in good condition and characterize the landscape. They were used for cooking, eating and sleeping during the hay harvest, and then as hay stores until winter. Then the stored hay was pulled down in hay trains by so-called hay giants and taken to the village on horn sledges. At the end of the 1940s, haymaking in the Heuberge died out, which in part led to reforestation. In Triesenberg, the Heuberge were bought up by the municipality in 1957. Xaver Beck, however, did not let the old Walser law be taken away and in 1978 built his hut on the Krüppel - a former Heuberg - also out of old Walser pride against the resistance of the authorities; an inscription on the hut bears witness to this: “Built by a strong hand, not approved by the authorities, I look out into the wide country. It's a pity that you don't approve of me». The starting point for hikes to the Krüppelhütte is the old tunnel in Steg. A beautiful trail signposted with Rappenstein awaits us there. Almost level at first, we hike through several turnstiles that separate the alpine meadows from the wooded areas. But the path climbs very quickly and with a constant incline we move towards our destination Krüppelhütte at 1707 m above sea level. to. The access path is a bit exposed in the upper part, but secured with wire ropes. On a small grassy clearing to the north, a very cozy, pretty hut with an old Buller stove awaits us; a few crockery on the shelf, a schnapps bar and two bunk beds complete the lovely furnishings.
On the table is a hut book for the hikers' entries. This hut is unlocked, the honesty of the visitors is appealed to. Directly in front of the hut there is a wooden table with benches and a barbecue area, a flagpole and a mountain cross from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Rhine Valley. Xaver had a figure from Liechtenstein legends attached to the outside wall. This is the legend of the unfaithful Sennen Keres from Alpe Sücka, who never found peace for his misdeeds
Source: Legends from Liechtenstein, Otto Seger, Nendeln/Liechtenstein,
1966/1980, No. 23
On the cripple 1707 m above sea level. Knowledge
Text: Günther Jehle, planks