|
It was was May 2001. I was giving a seminar in the village
of Prien, on the Chiemsee lake in south-eastern Bavaria. In this lake is
an island, Herreninsel, which boasts one of Ludwig II's most fantastic
castles. "Mad King Ludwig" occupied this mini-Versailles only 8 days.
|
 |
|
Is that Ludwig falling off the fountain?
|
 |
|
I'd planned to take advantage of Bavaria to do a bit of
hiking. So upon arrival I dumped my stuff at the Yachthotel Chiemsee and
drove to nearby Grassau; from there, hiked up to Schnappenkirsche, at 1100m
(3500ft), below the snowy peak in the distance above Lake Chiemsee.
|
 |
| View of Chiemsee from the Schnappenkirsche, a tranquil mountain chapel. |  |
|
Two days later, after the workshop I drove to Grainbach,
to begin a hike up the Hochries. I had reserved a bed at the Hochries Gipfelhaus
(peak house).
|
 |
| Hmmm...can't see much up there...but I'm committed. |  |
|
Soon the hike steepens.
|
 |
|
And the clouds move in.
|
 |
|
Visibility deteriorates.
|
 |
|
Is this the way?
|
 |
|
Yes -- a sign confirms my trail.
|
 |
|
Higher, above the mist now...
|
 |
|
...I gain the Hochries ridge, and gaze northwest over
southern Bavaria.
|
 |
| And south over the Austrian mountains. |  |
| At 1654m, the Hochries Gipfelhaus! A welcome sight, made better by warm treatment from Monica, proprietress, and Sabena and Emmy. |  |
| A beer and a nap, and I'm off to explore the valley below. |  |
| Gee! The snow is deep on this side of the mountain! |  |
| I know. I should have worn long pants. And I definitely should have brought my hiking boots. |  |
| Down I go. It's tough going. Later I found out that only a week ago, more than 36" of snow had fallen. |  |
| Reaching this hut and checking against my map, I confirm that I've failed to find the connecting trail into the valley. I can't go on anyway: dark clouds and distant thunder threaten rain. But slogging back, I make it back, drenched, to the Hochries hut and a warm meal. |  |
| The next morning, I head downhill though a chilly fog. A different route offers some variety, and uncertainty. I have a plane to Singapore to catch this evening. First, however, I'm inclined to head a little further south, across the border into Austria. |  |