Hohes Brett

Published on 2021-9-25 by Michael Stanton

Barbara and I climbined "Sommer, Sonne, Sonnenschein," which we'd done before in 2017. It would be my first multipitch climb since the accident in 2020, and her first outdoor climb in just as long. Were we up for it? Barbara thought I might find climbing difficult or stressful. The truth was that it was easy and relaxed and fun. However, the overall exertion of the day, and especially the scree-filled deescent tired us both out.

We each had favorite pitches on the climb. Mine was the steep 4th pitch, exiting a gully system for a face (IV), and hers was very fine -- the "Tolle Rillenplatte," sustained and sharp for 45 meters (IV).

Notable events included a gathering of farmers bringing their cows down, who really wanted us to stand around for many minutes while they wrestled the cows in the area we had to pass through. We finally ignored their demands and just walked around the whole scene. I'm sure they are very conservative because hikers don't understand animals and tragic events have taken place. But a wide berth solves many problems.

On the way down, we were so thirsty! Finally we got water near the base of the mountain. We had a nice discussion with a couple coming off an adjacent route, that made part of the descent more pleasant.

Barbara was keen to not use hiking poles on the tricky descent. She really did improve her skills!

Here we are somewhere in the lower pitches:

Barbara on the fantastic 8th pitch:

Walking up above the climbing:

Poor one, she was extremely tired!

On top:

Again...and thirsty!