In 1919, after World War I, South Tyrol became a part of Italy. The contract between the farmers was still valid but the local police had to make severe border controls in both parts, South Tyrol and Austria. In addition, the veterinarians of both countries had to check the health certificates. Since Austria became a member if the European Union all these controls are a thing of the past.

Every year some 2,000 sheep are driven by 20 drovers, one shepherd and one dog from Vernagt via Niederjoch (Similaun Hut 3,019m) to Niedertal (Ötztal). The adventurous 12-hour "journey" is always full of surprises as the weather and snow conditions can change very quickly. In 1979, for example, about 70 sheep suffocated from a severe snow storm in the steep rock faces located below the Similaun mountain hut. They were taken down to the valley by a helicopter the next day. Fortunately, the drovers and the shepherd remained unhurt.

One shepherd is spending the whole summer on the Alpine pastures. For the sheep drive back to Vernagt in the middle of September, 4 additional drovers help him to find all flocks of sheep, spread over a total area of 6,000m².

Once arrived in Vernagt, the local farmers have to separate their sheep. A village fair for shepherds, locals and guests is held on this very special occasion. You should not miss this atmospheric event deeply rooted in history. A pasture fee has to be paid as well, and on the occasion of the general meeting of all members, shepherds and drivers the remaining amount is shared among the 21 participants. Every year before and after the sheep drive a holy mass for the drovers and animals is celebrated in the local parish church of Unser Frau im Schnalstal.

The sheep drive takes place in the middle of June and in the middle of September. The date will be announced.

* German source: Konrad Götsch, Obergamphof, Schnalstal, South Tyrol, Italy

Once in Vent Franz Senn followed the endeavours of the Klotz brothers from Rofen and the alpine pioneers Schlaginweit from Munich and soon became an experienced mountaineer in the Ötztal valley and a great promoter of the dawning alpinism.

His parsonage in Vent was a base for all hikers. He trained mountain guides and found good mountain guides for hikers. From 1861 he saw to it that a trail was laid out to Vent and past Hochjoch col to Schnastal valley and arranged for the building of several mountain shelters.

Around 1862 he had the first hut in the Vent area built at an altitude of 2,929m. From August to October 1868 it was inhabited by the painter Karl (Charles) Brizzi from Munich and was named after him. Today one can still find the dilapidated hut at the right side of the path.

Senn ordered Brizzi to paint a panoramic picture of Kreuzspitze summit. He didn't like Brizzi's work and parted from the painter. In 1869 Senn ordered the drawer Engelhardt from Berlin to paint the picture. This picture he had printed as a chromolithography (180cm x 20cm); the picture became a financial burden as the 400 prints sold badly.

In 1869 Franz Senn prompted the building of the second hut at the site of the former hospice at Hochjoch col.It was located at an altitude of 2,520m, opposite of today's hospice, and was destroyed for the second time in 1824 by an avalanche. The Saumweg trail left of the Ache river is to his merit; it secured the access to Schnalstal valley past Hochjoch col.

The name "Hochjoch" col suggests that this col is at a higher altitude than the "Niedrigjoch" col, what isn't the case. The longer way past the glacier gave this impression at a time when altitude couldn't be measured. Hochjoch col lies 130m lower than Niederjoch col. The path across Hochjoch col became Franz Senn's and his friend Cyprian Granbichler's undoing on November 7/8, 1868, when both of them were on their way back from Merano and got into a snowstorm. Senn's friend Granbichler lost his life in the storm.

In the "Boten für Tirol und Vorarlberg" magazine Franz Senn described the dramatic crossing, their fight against the snow and the cold in 1868. Near Rote Bach brook, at the right side of Rofental valley, a memorial plaque was installed at the spot where Granbichler died.

Seen from today it is obvious that the two made several mistakes in choosing the time for the crossing, selecting the equipment and food and in treating the weakened "Cyper", as Cyprian Granbichler was generally called. Mountaineers of then lacked the knowledge and experience for bad weather conditions. With Cyprian Granbichler Vent lost its best and most reliable mountain guide. He was the first to conquer many of the surrounding summits and he did so in a few years only.

Franz Senn was badly affected by the loss. Still Senn continued to promote alpinism. He was one of the first members of the Austrian Alpine Club (1862) and with his friends Karl Hofmann, Johann Stüdl and Th. Trautwein he considerably contributed to the foundation of the German Alpine Club. His love of the mountains and his endeavours to bring new economic chances to the inhabitants of his home valley were outstanding.

To realize his plans Franz Senn had to get past a lot of resistance and to make considerable sacrifices. For the construction of the trail from Rofen to Schnalstal, which is now named after him, he borrowed money, when the donations didn't suffice. To his life's end he was burdened with the liquidation of this debts (3000 guilders); moreover he had to deal with slanderous allegations of some inhabitants of Nauders, where we was priest from 1872-1881.

He felt responsible for the death of his friend Granbichler and left alone with his financial misery. When he eventually got the long-desired job as priest in Neustift he was already physically and psychologically worn down. A cure break in Merano couldn't help the priest who was weakened by tuberculosis. On his return Franz Senn died on January 31, 1884 at the age of 52.

The "Franz Senn" hut in Oberbergtal valley near Neustift (2,148m), which was initiated and finished in 1885 by him and Senn Kogel mountain (3,400m) south-west of Vent were named after him to commemorate his pioneering activities.