Day 6 What a Challenge Travel to Hallerangerhaus

The weather report last night was a bit of everything- sun, rain, hail, thunder, lightening. I went to be not sure of what I would do in the morning. Fellow hikers Volker, Rudy, Marlis, Helmut and I decided to meet in the morning and discuss the options. The day dawned sunny so we decided to go for it.

First up we climbed through the avalanche barriers aided by steel cables where necessary. After that heart pounding start it was a steady climb up for two hours. The last part was pretty steep. Volker and I stuck together through the climb to watch each others backs. It was pretty spectacular. We finally got to the saddle but just took time to take a few photos. We both were aware of dark clouds to the west. The next part of the hike was the most challenging part for me. It was super steep downhill. First over loose rock for 50m. Then over solid rock. We down climbed the rock with the support of steel cables. My nerve and feat level was very high during this section. Volker was super patient and coached me when I got a little stuck. I could probably have done it in my own but it was very comforting to have someone there. After that there was a steep scree field to descend. The other three were able to do this much more quickly than I. I told them to go ahead. I caught up with them later at a beautiful pool of water coming off the mountain. They were cooling off in the pool. We had a snack. I thanked Volker and gave him some chocolate. The others filled their water bottles here. I guess they don't worry about water diseases because they didn't filter

From there there was yet more downhill. I thought I had left the cables behind me for the day but there were more including one that went across a smooth boulder with no footholds. Metal spikes were drilled into the rock so I was holding my poles, holding the cable and balancing on the spikes and hoping for the best.

Finally we arrived at a small farm house called Kastenalm. We bought a few snacks. Most people bought fresh milk as this farm has five milk cows. They also have 50 other cattle. I had an orange soda as diet coke and diet sprite are not stocked in the mountains.

After topping off my water I set out for the last two hours of the hike. It was another 500m uphill and pretty warm but I did it fairly quickly and arrived before the others.

There was a little misunderstanding with my reservation. Apparently Karwendalhaus booked it for one day early the day that I stayed at Karwendalhaus which makes no sense. Hallerangerhaus was very nice about it. I ended up getting a room with only four beds. It is fantastic. I also got a shower which was fantastic. Between sliding over rocks and sweating like crazy I was so ready for a shower especially because I didn't have one yesterday.

Oh no i just attemptedto charge my electronics and I realized the adapeter is missing for my usb charger. Not a total disaster as I do have a back up power supply. However I will need to locate a replacement. Luckily I am heading to a town tomorrow i am sure that I will be able to find something.

Distance 15 km
Elevation up 1550m down 1560m

Photos at https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0q532ODWVPkrI

Day 5 Travel to Karwendalhaus

The night was filled with thunder and lightening so I didnt know what the morning would bring. It brought more rain but only a little thunder and lightening. I debated a later start but thats why I carry rain pants and an expensive rain jacket. I put then both on and stepped out. I decided the rain pants were over the top and took them iff before I ever started out. I used the raincoat on and off all morning. The rain alternated between light to steady to heavy at timea.

The first part if the day was unimpressive hiking along a rather busy road as cars filled with mountain bikers speed by. Crossing the river a couple of times was impressive. The river is a beautiful color and cut into the earth creating an impressive gorge. I crossed the border into Austria in this part of today's hike.
I stopped in at Hinterriss for a quick break and some strudel. Maybe instead of calling this trip the Dream Way it could be called the Apfel kuchen/strudel way. Anyway it was delicious. I highly recommend it. Then I discovered a bonus. There was wifi. The guesthouse didn't allow us to use their wifi last night. I posted yestedays blog. Then I looked out the window and I saw several chamois munching on the green grass next to the gasthof. It was like the elk who gather at Yellowstone to enjoy the lawns in the people populated areas.
From there I headed out up a trail. There was a mountain biker in the trail ahead of me. Initially it was a wide track but it evolved into a single track that crossed a creek, had several downed trees and was severely eroded with a major drop off next to the erosion. At some point I caught uo to the poor mountain biker who decided this trail was not for her.
I continued climbing on trails that at time were sharef with mountain bikers and at times diverged into activity specific trails. One poor guy asked me for directions. He must have been hard up. I think I sent him the rigjt way.
Right around there I caught up with a guy who stayed in the lager (dormitory) that I was in last night. This kind of confused me because I knew I was the first one to leave. Although he could have passed me on the strudel break. However, as soon as he saw me he let me know he took the bus to Hinterriss and that is how he got ahead of me.
We leap frogged in the trail on and off up to Karwendalhaus. The trail became beautiful. It opened into a bowl just below the jagged limestone cliffs called Karwendal. There were great meadows with grass, wild flowers and cows below the cliffs. This is what I am here for. I love the alpine environment.
I crossed over the pass and down to the hut called Karwendalhaus. It is built right into the cliff and is amazing. I feel very fortunate to be able to stay here.
Volker and I arrived at the same time. After a snack he helped me check in. There is an unusual color coating system here. I was told go up to the third floor. Find the bed with the blue line. Two are already taken. You take the third. I thought this put a crimp in my choose the best bed system but I ened up with the exact bed that I wanted- on the end and next to the window. Volker ended up with one across the way. As we unpacked I learned he is from the Berlin area. In fact he is from the old East Berlin and had lived there before the wall came down. We had a interesting conversation about that.
. Then I decided to take a shower. The joke was on me there is only cold water. I did wash my clothes. Oh the joke was one me again it started pouring outside when I went to hang them. It was only a brief shower and soon I was able to hang them out. It was so windy I had to take then down. I was worried they fly away forever. I saw one guy looking over the edge of the balcony like he lad lost something. It a long way down
Outside the hut there is a red circle with a cell phone painted on it where thwre is apparently cell phone service. My poor phone had no service.

Tomorrow I am going up and over those jagged peaks. It is supposed to be steep both ways with steel cables to assist. It is not recommended if there is bad weather. There is a weather and trail info meeting tonight at 7:30 which I will attend to ensure that it is safe to go.

Photos at https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0q532ODWVPkrI

Day 4 Travel to Vorderiss

I got an early start as usual. I had purchased a cheeseplate fior breakfast and they put it in the fridge for me overnight. I made a cheese sandwich for breakfast and took the rest with me to eat in the road. The day started with an uphill climb out of the valley back to the ridge. From there I soon descended down, down, down. Towards the bottom there were some beautiful cascades and water falls.

Along the way I was attacked on and off by black biting flies. When I walked into Jachenau, I was initially disapppinted as the gasthof was closed but the owner told me I could go to the shop. I didnt know there was in there. I bought some pretzels and a coke light. I also wanted to get some bug spray. I couldn't find it but I did find some Raid. I took it up to the counter and pretended to spray it on my arm. The lady was appalled and said "no no". I think she thought that I thought that was personal bug spray. I just meant where is the right kind. Well she did show me the right kind. For 8 € I was the proud owner of bug spray. I debated if this was a good thing making my pack heavier. However in the next section of the hike the bugs attacked me with a vengence. I stopped to put spray on and it got worse until I throughly covered myself. These bugs are vicious. Some of then drew blood. Luckily they aren't itchy just painful.

The hike down the hillside to Vorderiss was very dramatic. The River Isar was a brillant blue and it was surrounded by a massive gravel bed

I am not sure what tomorrow will bring. The next step is Karwendalhaus but I don't have a reservation. Vorderriss said I could stay a second night. However Marliss just arrived and said that she has a reservation for me at Karwendalhaus which would be awesome

Vorderriss is my last stop in Germany. I cross the border to Austria when I leave here

The distance today was 18km (approx 11 miles) 710m up and 1279m down. I cant seem to open the Internet to do the calculations to miles and feet.

I still dont have the images thing sorted out but you can see them all at

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0q532ODWVPkrI

Day 3 Travel to Tutzinger Hutte

I left Bad Tolz as it was just awakening at 6:15am. The first part of the hike was pretty flat along the River Isar to Lenggries. That was about 6 miles almost half the day's total distance but it didnt include any of the 4000ft elevation gain. I knew it was going to be a bit if a shock to the system when I started climbing. To prep my system I treated myself to not one but two cherry cinnamon rolls from the supermarket bakery.

Then I waddled up to the ski hill and began a steep and very warm climb to the top. It wasn't too bad. Of course, I was red and sweaty at the top compared to the mountain visitors who chose to ride the cable car up. After a brief stop where I checked out the paragliders jumping off the sheer cliff, I began a ridge walk. Despite it bring described as a steep and exposed, I didn't find it too bad. There was one ladder and a few sections of fixed cable. There were also numerous places were I used my hands to climb up or down. I went slow but didn't feel overly worried about the conditions. I "bagged" three peaks along the way. I also startled a poor grouse chick which was in the trail. It's mama freaked out and I thought she was going to dive bomb me or something. I met a sweet Irish family day hiking along the ridge. The kids were having a great time with it. I think the Dad was a bit worried about me hiking on my own.
At the hut there were alot of people hanging out. I don't think most if them are staying the night. I have a nice bed in a room that holds six. I will time to see if the loud snoring German in tiny underwear holds up as most the room inhabitants are German males.
It was so good to take a shower I was soaking wet with sweat when I arrived. I met a lady named Marlies who is at least hiking a bit of what I am hiking.
I wanted to stay flexible so I hadnt booked too far out and now that has bitten me in the butt. I cant stay where I wanted to stay on Saturday. I did get a reservation there on Sunday. Not sure what I will do about Sat night yet. So I am already a day behind.
Today's statistics were 13 miles 4000ft elevation gain

Still not able to add images but you can see them at

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0q532ODWVPkrI

Image Issues

The app that I was using to write my blog has decided to no longer work.  I can't seem to add images easily using blogger on Safari. If you know of a good app to use to write in blogger please let me know. I was using Blogo but it keeps giving me an error

Day 2 Travels to Bad Tolz

I left Wolf Town walking first over streets and then along a canal. This spit me out on a cycle trail and then on to a suburban street. I knew that I needed to turn into the forest and when I saw a bunch of parked cars I figures that I had the right place but no trailhead was obvious. Looking up I realized that a woman was talking to me and gesturing back up the road. I walked back the way I came but still saw no trail. She kept indicating into the forest. I think I missed her trail but I found another. Walking through I saw remants of WWII (or Cold War?) like the one shown below

The trail wove through the forest and along the river branching unmarked many times. I have no idea how I would have navigated it with Gaia (thanks Leah Carter) and the gpx file.

There were lots of flowers and butterflies along the way. The river was very pretty. Eventually I got to a place where I couldn't figure out where to go. I went straight. That didnt seem right. I went left. That didnt seem right. I returned and went straight again. Looking at the trail on Gaia I realized that I was a bit off. I walked in the direction that I knew the trail should be. I saw a trail marker and followed it. It took me to one of the most indistinct trails that I have ever been on. Then it dumped me into a farmers field. Thinking that I was in private land and needed to return to the forest I walked up and down but could not pick up a trail. There was a very nice lady doing something with a tractor in the field. She came over and gave me directions. I needed to walk up to the farm houses and walk between them over the electric wire. Sure enough that worked. If I had read the book I would have picked that up.

The next section was pretty straight forward and then I got to another section where I walked one way, decided it was wrong, went back walked another way, decided it was wrong and then walked back and went the original way which went to where I needed to go. I think I was actually supposed to go through the agricultural field but I got to the location that I needed. After a bit more walking I was back at the river which was dammed into a lake. It was a short and pretty walk along it to Bad Tolz.

I arrived hot and tired. I think that I hiked about 19 miles. Below is a statue that I saw alongthe way that reflects how I felt at the end.

I checked into my hotel, showered,washed my sweaty clothes, ate a cherry kuchen and put my feet in the river to cool off. Tomorrow is a big climbing day but fewer miles.

You can see more photos at https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0q532ODWVPkrI

Day 1 Naked Hiking Munich to Wolfratshausen

I was up early to beat the heat and I hit the trail to Wolfratshausen. The initial stages of the hiking was along the River Isar and then along it canals. I shared the trail with many runners, walkers and cyclists (all clothed) near the city but that thinned out as I moved farther and farther from Munich. I initially crossed a couple of bridges that had a variety of engraved padlocks. These are put there by lovers. My question is what happens when they break up? Lock cutters? Do they stay there? This practice has been modeled on the famous Pont des Arts in Paris

I planned to stop in Pullach for a snack and took a "wrong" turn that had me climb up a very steep set of stairs. Once up there I realized that where I had been headed was actually below on the river. The delay certainly didnt matter because when I got there it was still closed and not opening for hours. I sat in the garden, filled my water bottle and ate a cliff bar anyway. I think I was about a third of the way to Wolf town.

I walked through forest to the next stop Schaftlarn. It is dominated by a Beneditine Monestary founded in 701. I stopped at the gasthof to get a bite to eat. The waiters english was not good and the menu had way too many words. My phone had poor signal so google translate wasnt working well. I didnt think until later to put it in airplane mode. Then the translator worked much better. The waiter asked me if I would like some pretzels. I said yes. I asked the water for eggs. He said "yes eggs and pointed to his testes". I was a little worries that I was going to get rocky mountain oysters or something. However, it was a none issue as the cook said no eggs. So there was some type of apple thing in the menu. The waiter tried to explain it to me and I didnt really understand but how wrong can you go with apples and cinamon sugar. I ordered it. The poor waiter came back and said the cook said not until 11:30. I said "no thanks". It was 10:45. I ate my pretzels which were yummy. A little while later another waiter (or maybe the boss) brought me a dish. Turns out the boss told the cook to make me the apple stuff. Turns out it was two slices of apple covered in cinamon sugar and fried. It was served with ice cream with walnuts. It was very good. I asked if it was a specialty of the area and he said yes.

From there I continued walking along the canal. Along the water were lots if flowers and butterflies. Then in the distance I saw someone walking along. I have bad eyes but he looked naked. In my mind I was thinking surely he isnt naked. He must be wearing clothing that is skin colored or something. As I got closer I knew my first thought was correct. (See image below) He had a branch with leaves that he used to keep the flies off. Finally I passed keeping my eyes straight ahead. I wasnt really sure what to think. I noticed a couple ahead of me. Then another naked man walked out of the trees. However this one turned around and went back into the trees right away. Soon I was at the weir and I had caught up to the couple. I had to ask "Is naked walking common around here?" I think they thought I was crazy. They hadnt seen either man. The man asked if I had ever seen a naked man. I said "yes but not walking down a trail". They did know if a place downstream where people walk around nude. I guess they migrated upstream or something. We talked about hiking. They were very impressed that I had walked from Munich. They drove from Munich. The man had a couple of friends who have hiked the Dream Way.

I crossed the weir (pictured below) and walked down to Wolf town. I believe that one of the industries here is lumber. It is stacked on the side of the canal looking like it is prepared for transport along the canal. It was a long but fun day. I am pretty sure that I hiked around 21 miles